5 March 2015
Last updated at 15:43 GMT
Papiss Cisse says sorry for role in spitting incident with Jonny EvansNewcastle striker Papiss Cisse has apologised for his part in the spitting incident between him and Manchester United defender Jonny Evans.
"I have apologies to make to a lot of people today," said Cisse. "I reacted to something I found very unpleasant."
Evans has already denied deliberately spitting at Cisse during Wednesday's Premier League game at St James' Park.
The Football Association says it is waiting for referee Anthony Taylor's report before deciding whether to act.
Cisse said he wanted to say sorry to his team-mates, to Newcastle supporters, to Evans and "to every football fan who saw the incident between myself and Jonny".
He added: "Sometimes it is hard not to react, particularly in the heat of the moment.
"I have always tried hard to be positive a 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."
In a statement issued earlier on Thursday, Evans, 27, said: "I would like to make it clear that I did not spit at Papiss Cisse."
The Northern Ireland international added: "Having woken up this morning I am shocked to have seen the media coverage from last night's match.
"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 incident was condemned by Dietmar Hamann and Phil Neville on Match of the Day and, if proven, leaves the pair facing a six-match ban.
Neither Newcastle manager John Carver nor Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal said they saw the incident.
"I can't comment on it," said Carver, whose side were beaten 1-0. "I just know there was a fracas on the halfway line."
Van Gaal said: "I don't think Jonny Evans is a spitter. Maybe spitting on the floor, but we were on the bench and you cannot see from there."
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