Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse and Manchester United defender Jonny Evans have been banned for seven and six matches respectively for spitting at each other, the Football Association announced on Saturday.

The punishments follow an incident that occurred between the pair during the first half of United's 1-0 win over Newcastle at St James' Park in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Cisse accepted his charge on Thursday, but Evans contested his charge and his case was heard on Friday. Cisse has been hit with a longer ban due to a previous suspension this season for elbowing Everton's Seamus Coleman.

"Both players were charged in relation to an alleged breach of FA Rule E1[a] in that in or around the 38th minute of the fixture they spat at each other," the FA said in a statement on its website.

"Mr Cisse accepted the charge and his suspension consists of six matches, which is the standard penalty for this offence, with an additional one match as he has previously accepted a violent conduct charge this season.

"Mr Evans denied the charge but it was found proven following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing on Friday, resulting in a six-match suspension."

Both bans begin with immediate effect.