MANCHESTER United defender Jonny Evans (left) stuck to his guns and was left to face a Football Association hearing last night after again denying spitting at Papiss Cisse (right).
The 27-year-old Northern Ireland international had been given until 6pm to respond to a charge which was levelled at both men under the FA's rule E1[a] on Thursday. And while Newcastle striker Cisse almost immediately accepted the charge, stemming from an incident in Wednesday night's clash between the clubs at St James' Park, FA disciplinary chiefs announced Evans would fight it.
An FA statement, released via its official Twitter account, read: "Manchester United's Jonny Evans denies FA charge in relation to incident involving Papiss Cisse. Independent Regulatory Commission hearing tonight, decision expected tomorrow."
Evans' decision was entirely in keeping with a statement he released before charges were levelled, insisting he would never deliberately spit at a fellow professional, a sentiment backed up by Louis van Gaal.
Van Gaal said of the spitting claims on Thursday: "It was not his intention and I said already I cannot imagine that Jonny Evans could do that and he has said that also. I believe him so for me the matter has been done."