article_snippet: 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.
article_snippet: and I spoke about any spitting incident
article_snippet: and it is clear by my reaction in the television footage that I was totally surprised by any suggestion of spitting.
article_snippet: 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.
article_snippet: It is certainly not something that I did last night.
article_snippet: I reacted to something I found very unpleasant.
article_snippet: Sometimes it is hard not to react, particularly in the heat of the moment.