South African Player Wessels Handed Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab
The player will be unavailable for South Africa's fall fixtures.
Springbok front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.
The incident took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match.
While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials determined that the incident reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an offence.
However, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.
Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.
