Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes that Papiss Cisse's seven-match ban for spitting at Manchester United's Jonny Evans is "excessive".
The Newcastle United striker admitted to spitting at Evans in an incident during Wednesday's 1-0 defeat, although the Red Devils defender has denied suggestions that he did the same, and the Irish centre-back is contesting a misconduct charge of his own.
Carragher told the Daily Mail: "Cisse has admitted being in the wrong and hit with a seven-game ban. I know it is a disgusting thing to do but I do think that punishment seems a little excessive, particularly if you compare it to an over-the-top tackle that would 'only' get three games.
"For Evans, the incident doesn't look good at all. It would have been easy enough for him to spit well away from Cisse.
"One final thing: all those people who have said about Evans 'he's not that type of lad'. Who is then? Is there are a list somewhere of names who are 'that type'? It is a stupid thing to say. It's not about his character. It's about whether he had a moment of madness, deliberately or not."
United host Arsenal in the FA Cup on Monday.
Paul Gorst
