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 6 p.m. 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."
Manchester United's Jonny Evans denies FA charge in relation to incident involving Papiss Cisse. 1/2
- The FA (@FA) March 6, 2015
Independent Regulatory Commission hearing tonight, decision expected tomorrow [Saturday] 2/2
- The FA (@FA) March 6, 2015
Under new FIFA guidelines, Evans faces a mandatory six-match ban if found guilty.
Cisse, who was given an extra one-match suspension because he has already been sent off this season, has accepted his charge and was banned for seven games.
Evans issued a statement on Thursday insisting his innocence, when he said: "Having woken up this morning I am shocked to have seen the media coverage from last night's match. I would like to make it clear that I did not spit at Papiss Cisse.
"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."
He was supported by manager Louis van Gaal, who said in his news conference on Thursday: "Jonny was not aware that he was spitting. It's a natural thing for a human being, it wasn't his intention.
"I cannot imagine that Jonny Evans could do something like that, and he's also said that. I believe him."
If Evans is found guilty, he will miss Monday's FA Cup quarterfinal against Arsenal as well as Premier League games against Tottenham, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester City.
He would also be ruled out for a replay against Arsenal, if there is one, in the FA Cup semifinal, should United qualify, or the Premier League trip to leaders Chelsea.
Richard Jolly and PA Sport contributed to this report.