South African Player Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab
Wessels is ruled out for South Africa's autumn internationals.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.
The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting the South African on the head area.
After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was checked by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.
While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.
Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
