Evans handed six-game ban over spitting incident

An FA independent panel has rejected the Manchester United's protestations of innocence over accusations that he spat at Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse on Saturday

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans will serve a six-game ban for spitting at Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse, despite protesting his innocence.

The pair were engaged in an ugly altercation in the midweek clash at St James' Park, but while Cisse accepted the charge Evans denied it - though an independent Football Association panel has rejected his appeal.

Evans will now miss Monday's FA Cup clash with Arsenal, as well as Premier League games against Tottenham, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Chelsea.

"Newcastle United’s Papiss Cisse and Manchester United’s Jonny Evans will serve suspensions of seven-matches and six-matches respectively with immediate effect," read a statement on the FA's website.

"This follows the Premier League game on Wednesday 4 March 2015.

"Both players were charged in relation to an alleged breach of FA Rule E1[a] in that in or around the 38th minute of the fixture they spat at each other.

"Mr Cisse accepted the charge and his suspension consists of six matches, which is the standard penalty for this offence, with an additional one match as he has previously accepted a violent conduct charge this season.

"Mr Evans denied the charge but it was found proven following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing on Friday [6 March], resulting in a six-match suspension.

"The incidents were not seen by the match officials but caught on video."