South African Player Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will be unavailable for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head.
After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
Although the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an offence.
Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.
Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
