LONDON (AP) — Manchester United defender Jonny Evans has denied spitting at Papiss Cisse during a Premier League game, while the Newcastle striker has issued an apology for his role in the incident.

Television replays showed the pair spitting at each other Wednesday during United’s 2-0 win after Cisse had reacted angrily to a tackle by Evans.

Cisse says “I have apologies to make to a lot of people today. Firstly to my teammates and to our supporters, secondly to Jonny Evans, and thirdly to every football fan who saw the incident between myself and Jonny.”

But Evans insists “I did not spit at Papiss Cisse … it is not in my character or in my nature to spit at anybody.”

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