Wigan defender Antolin Alcaraz has been charged by the Football Association with spitting at an opponent during Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Wolves.
The 29-year-old Paraguay international, who has until 1800 GMT on 8 November to respond, will be given an automatic three-game ban if he admits the charge.
TV cameras appeared to catch Alcaraz spitting at Wolves defender Richard Stearman during Sunday's match.
It sparked a mass brawl and earned the wrath of Wolves manager Mick McCarthy.
He said: "Spitting is taboo if that's what happened," he said. "I only had it happen to me once and the player didn't come too close to me for a long time."
McCarthy, who saw Jamie O'Hara, David Edwards and Stephen Ward score the goals that set his side on their way to a third victory of the season, added: "If it has been shown, that is unacceptable behaviour."
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said he missed the flashpoint, but is looking into the claims.
"I haven't seen it yet [the replays]," he said. "If that is the case, I'll look into it and I'll find out."
The FA said: "Wigan Athletic's Antolin Alcaraz has today been charged by The FA for spitting at an opponent.
"The incident, which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video, relates to his side's game against Wolverhampton Wanderers."
It was initially thought Alcaraz, 29, had spat at centre-back Christophe Berra.
But fellow defender Richard Stearman said: "It wasn't Berra, I'll give you that, but I don't think it's right for me to talk about it at the moment."
When he was asked if he was spat upon, he replied: "Yes, but I'm not going to speak about it.
"I can confirm it happened and that it was me rather than Berra. I'll let other people talk about it and let other people deal with it. I won't push for anything, it's one of those things - but it's not nice."
The 29-year-old Paraguay international, who has until 1800 GMT on 8 November to respond, will be given an automatic three-game ban if he admits the charge.
TV cameras appeared to catch Alcaraz spitting at Wolves defender Richard Stearman during Sunday's match.
It sparked a mass brawl and earned the wrath of Wolves manager Mick McCarthy.
He said: "Spitting is taboo if that's what happened," he said. "I only had it happen to me once and the player didn't come too close to me for a long time."
McCarthy, who saw Jamie O'Hara, David Edwards and Stephen Ward score the goals that set his side on their way to a third victory of the season, added: "If it has been shown, that is unacceptable behaviour."
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said he missed the flashpoint, but is looking into the claims.
"I haven't seen it yet [the replays]," he said. "If that is the case, I'll look into it and I'll find out."
The FA said: "Wigan Athletic's Antolin Alcaraz has today been charged by The FA for spitting at an opponent.
"The incident, which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video, relates to his side's game against Wolverhampton Wanderers."
It was initially thought Alcaraz, 29, had spat at centre-back Christophe Berra.
But fellow defender Richard Stearman said: "It wasn't Berra, I'll give you that, but I don't think it's right for me to talk about it at the moment."
When he was asked if he was spat upon, he replied: "Yes, but I'm not going to speak about it.
"I can confirm it happened and that it was me rather than Berra. I'll let other people talk about it and let other people deal with it. I won't push for anything, it's one of those things - but it's not nice."
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