London:
Manchester United centre-back Jonny Evans and Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse have been charged over allegations they spat at each other, the Football Association announced.
The incident occurred during United's 1-0 Premier League win over Newcastle at St James' Park on Wednesday.
Evans has denied spitting at Cisse, but the Newcastle striker has issued a public apology for his behaviour. Both players could face six-game bans if the charges against them are proven.
"Newcastle United's Papiss Cisse and Manchester United's Jonny Evans have both been charged by The FA following their game on Wednesday 4 March 2015," the FA said in a statement on its website.
"The charges are in relation to an alleged breach of FA Rule E1[a] in that in or around the 38th minute of the game the two players spat at each other.
Cisse quickly accepted the FA charge, with Newcastle managing director Lee Charnley saying: Both ourselves and Papiss agree that this kind of behaviour is not acceptable.
In life, when you do something wrong you have to front up, admit your mistakes and accept the punishment.
Papiss was proactive this morning in making a full and heartfelt apology, which he did in advance of any notification from the FA regarding this charge.
The incident occurred following a tangle between the players near the halfway line.
As the pair climbed to their feet, Evans seemed to spit towards the ground and Cisse appeared to react by spitting at the United defender's neck.
