South African Player Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player will miss for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.
The incident took place in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head area.
After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the event was examined by the TMO, who determined insufficient clear footage.
Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.
Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which states:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."
The panel concluded that the incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an offence.
Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
