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Papiss Cisse appeared to spit at Jonny Evans after receiving the same treatment from the defender

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans and Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse could face six-match bans if found guilty of spitting.

The pair appeared to spit at each other during Wednesday's Premier League game at St James' Park.

Referee Anthony Taylor spoke to Evans and Cisse after the first-half incident, but neither was booked.

The Football Association says it is waiting for Taylor's report before deciding whether any action is needed.

Cisse wiped his face after Evans's initial alleged spit

Last season, George Boyd was given a three-match ban for spitting at Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart.

But from this season, FA disciplinary guidelines dictate that the penalty for such an offence is double that.

Cisse's punishment could be even greater, given he was sent off for violent conduct in December for elbowing Everton's Seamus Coleman.

FA guidelines indicate Cisse could receive an additional one-match ban.

A number of ex-players believe Evans and Cisse should be punished.

Former Newcastle midfielder Dietmar Hamann described the acts as "not acceptable" and "disgusting", while former Manchester United defender Phil Neville added: "Both those players will be embarrassed."

Referee Anthony Taylor had to hold Jonny Evans and Papiss Cisse apart

Speaking on BBC's Match of the Day, Hamann added: "There are kids watching. Something has to be done. The behaviour towards each other and the referee is deteriorating on a weekly basis."

Former Magpies midfielder Jermaine Jenas told BBC Radio 5 live: "I am completely disgusted. The game does not need to see this."

Television replays appeared to show Evans spitting towards Cisse, who was on the ground.

The Senegal forward then appeared to spit in the direction of Evans.

Football's most notorious spitters Netherlands player Frank Rijkaard spat into Rudi Voller's hair as the West German ran past him after both men had been sent off in a match at the World Cup in Italy in 1990. El Hadji Diouf was fined two weeks' wages by Liverpool, £5,000 by the Glasgow Sheriff Court and given a two-match ban after spitting at a Celtic fan in the front row of the stand during a Uefa Cup tie at Celtic Park in 2003. Arsenal's Patrick Vieira was handed a four-match ban and a £30,000 fine for spitting at West Ham's Neil Ruddock in a Premiership match at Upton Park in September 1999. France and ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Fabian Barthez was given a six-month ban (suspended for three months) for spitting at a Moroccan referee during a friendly between Marseille and Wydad Casablanca in 2005. Alexander Frei of Switzerland was charged with misconduct and banned for three games after a crafty spit on the neck of Steven Gerrard during England's 3-0 win at Euro 2004.

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."