South African Player Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will miss for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
The altercation took place in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking Wessels on the head area.
Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was examined by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which declares:
"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the event met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
