South African Player Wessels Handed Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player will miss for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
The incident happened in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head.
After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the TMO, who determined insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."
The panel were satisfied that the event met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby regulations for such an offence.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.
He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.
The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
