Jonny Evans and Papiss Cisse now have to respond to the charges
Newcastle striker Cisse and Manchester United defender Evans will be suspended for six matches if they are found guilty of the charge – and Cisse would get one more because he has already been sent off this season for elbowing Everton's Seamus Coleman.
Referee Anthony Taylor did not see the flashpoint during Wednesday's game at St James' Park so the FA yesterday asked an independent three-man panel of former elite referees to review television footage of the incident - and they indicated both players should have been red carded.
That prompted the charges with both players having until 6pm on Friday to respond.
The FA said in a statement: "The charges are in relation to an alleged breach of FA Rule E1[a] in that in or around the 38th minute of the game the two players spat at each other."
The players' respective statements yesterday indicated that Evans will fight his charge but Cisse could accept his.
Cisse, 29, issued a grovelling apology while hinting that Evans sparked their ugly fall-out.
Evans, 27, vehemently denied deliberately spitting at his opponent.
Van Gaal unhappy over questions about Evans and relationship with Giggs [AMBIENT]
Newcastle 11-goal leading scorer Cisse urged young supporters not to repeat his mistake after the unsavoury first-half flashpoint where each player appeared to spit in the other's face.
Hinting that Evans was responsible for sparking his ire, Cisse said: "I have apologies to make to a lot of people.
"Firstly to my team-mates and to our supporters, secondly to Jonny Evans and thirdly to every football fan who saw the incident between myself and Jonny.
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
Jonny Evans
"I reacted to something I found very unpleasant. Sometimes it is hard not to react, particularly in the heat of the moment.
"I've always tried hard to be a positive 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 his statement, Northern Ireland international Evans said: "I'm shocked to see the media coverage from last night's match. I'd 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 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.
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"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."
Last night United boss Louis Van Gaal backed defender Evans' version of events.
He said: "Of course I've spoken with Jonny. He was not aware he was spitting.
"When he was spitting on the ground that maybe it's a natural thing from a human being.
"I think it was not his intention and I have said that already. I cannot imagine that Jonny Evans could do that.
"And he has said that also – so I believe him – so for me the matter has done."
Asked whether Cisse has more of a case to answer he added: "That's not my problem."
Asked then if he was worried that the FA will still action against Evans, he said: "I think the FA is very wise."
But if Evans is found guilty he would miss United's most crucial period of the season with Monday's FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal followed by series of League games vital for their top four hopes - against Tottenham, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Chelsea.
