Jonny Evans given six-match ban

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans has been given a six-match ban for spitting at Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse on Wednesday.

The Irish centre-back initially contested the misconduct charge by the Football Association, but the governing body has now banned Evans for the next half-a-dozen games.

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"Papiss Cisse and Jonny Evans will serve suspensions of seven matches and six matches respectively with immediate effect," read an FA statement.

Evans will miss a significant chunk of United's run-in for a place in the top four of the Premier League, and he will be absent for crucial games against Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City.

Evans will also miss the FA Cup game against Arsenal on Monday.