Newcastle United's Papiss Cisse apologizes for spitting incident; Manchester United's Jonny Evans maintains innocence
Papiss Cisse has issued an apology for his part in the ‘spitting storm’ between Jonny Evans and himself, while the Manchester United man has flatly denied spitting at the Senegalese international. Both players face the possibility of a six-match ban for the unseemly incident.
Evans claimed he was shocked at reports which stated that he had a part to play in the spit-swapping incident in the course of the match against Newcastle on Wednesday.
On the Manchester United official Website, Evans released a statement saying: “Having woken up this morning, I am shocked to have seen the media coverage from last night’s match. I would like to make it clear that I did not spit at Papiss Cissé.
“I was totally unaware of any spitting incident and had assumed that the issue at the time was with the challenge and his attempted retaliation to the tackle from the floor. During the game Papiss Cissé and I spoke about the incident and it is clear by my reaction in the television footage that I was totally surprised by any suggestion of spitting.
“It is not in my character or in my nature to spit at anybody nor is it something I have ever done or would ever do. It is certainly not something that I did last night.”
I reacted to something I found very unpleasant: Cisse
Cisse, who is facing a six-match ban for the act too, might end up being out longer in the likelihood that he is charged due to his prior three-match suspension for violent conduct earlier this season
Cisse likewise released a statement on the Newcastle website which read: “I have apologies to make to a lot of people today. Firstly to my team-mates and to our supporters, secondly to Jonny Evans, and thirdly to every football fan who saw the incident between myself and Jonny.
“I reacted to something I found very unpleasant. Sometimes it is hard not to react, particularly in the heat of the moment. I have always tried hard to be positive a role model, especially for our young fans, and yesterday I let you down.
“I hope children out there playing football for their clubs and schools this weekend will know better than to retaliate when they are angry. Perhaps when they see the problem it now causes me and my team they will be able to learn from my mistake, not copy it.”