Manchester United defender Jonny Evans has pleaded not guilty to spitting at Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse and will have his case heard on Friday night.
The 27-year-old Northern Ireland international had until 6pm to respond to the charge levelled at both men under the Football Association's Rule E1[a] on Thursday, and disciplinary chiefs have announced that he is to 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."
Cisse has accepted a charge for spitting at Evans and faces a possible seven-match ban.
