In my career , I never spat at anybody . It ’ s such a disgusting act and is one of the most disrespectful things you can do to another human being . In some cultures , people do spit on the floor when they ’ re angry , but I can ’ t understand why people would spit at all . Jonny Evans certainly isn ’ t part of one of those cultures . I don ’ t understand why people do it , but I did think there was some provocation on Wednesday night . United defender Jonny Evans ( left ) and Papiss Cisse have been charged with spitting during the game . Evans and Cisse were both caught on camera appearing to spit at each other on Wednesday night . Cisse has accepted a possible seven-game ban while Evans has until 6pm on Friday , February 6 to respond . It looked like Cisse ran his studs down Evans ’ s achilles and also made a straight-legged challenge on him . That ’ s why we saw a transformation in the seemingly mild-mannered Evans . He says he was unaware of any spitting incident , but I find that hard to believe . I was once spat at during a game in Turkey while I was playing for Everton . It was supposed to be a pre-season friendly but it was anything but . Our bus was even stoned by local fans . When I was spat at , it was right into my face . But it wasn ’ t a case of being so angry I wanted to hit him , I was mostly just shocked . It was an abusive act and it is unacceptable . Luis Suarez ( top left ) was caught biting Branislav Ivanovic during a Premier League clash in April 2013 . The Chelsea defender appeals to the referee , with Suarez later receiving an eight-game ban for biting . As for punishment , you could argue it is as bad as , if not worse , than biting — and Luis Suarez , then of Liverpool , received an eight-match ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic . Biting causes physical pain , but that is almost a childish , instinctive reaction . To spit in someone ’ s face is more deliberate and insulting . For me , spitting is worse . But I don ’ t think spitting merits more than a three-match ban . Yes , there has to be a suspension , but it ’ s more important to educate players as to how badly incidents such as these come across to those watching the game , particularly youngsters . ‘ Having woken up this morning I am shocked to have seen the media coverage from last night ’ s match . I would like to make it clear that I did not spit at Papiss Cisse . ‘ 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 . 'During the game Papiss Cisse and I spoke about the incident and it is clear by my reaction in the television footage that I was totally surprised by any suggestion of spitting . ‘ 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 . It is certainly not something that I did last night. ’ THE GAMES HE COULD MISS FOR UNITED : Arsenal ( h ) , Monday ; Tottenham ( h ) , March 15 ; Liverpool ( a ) , March 22 ; Aston Villa ( h ) , April 4 ; Man City ( h ) April 12 ; Chelsea ( a ) April 18 . ‘ I have apologies to make to a lot of people today . Firstly to my team-mates and to our supporters , secondly to Jonny Evans , and thirdly to every football fan who saw the incident between myself and Jonny . ‘ I reacted to something I found very unpleasant . Sometimes it is hard not to react , particularly in the heat of the moment . I have always tried hard to be a positive role model , especially for our young fans , and yesterday I let you down . ‘ I hope children out there playing football for their clubs and schools this weekend will know better than to retaliate when they are angry . Perhaps when they see the problem it now causes me and my team they will be able to learn from my mistake , not copy it. ’ THE GAMES HE ’ LL MISS FOR NEWCASTLE : Everton ( a ) , March 15 ; Arsenal ( h ) , March 21 ; Sunderland ( a ) , April 5 ; Liverpool ( a ) , April 13 ; Tottenham ( h ) , April 19 ; Swansea ( h ) , April 25 ; Leicester ( a ) , May 2 .
Jonny Evans and Papiss Cisse have been charged with spitting at each other during Premier League clash on Wednesday . Newcastle striker faces a possible seven-game ban after accepting the charge while Manchester United has until 6pm to respond . Martin Keown argues that spitting is as bad as Luis Suarez biting .