Springboks star slapped with MAMMOTH ban after groping accusation despite lack of footage
Jan-Hendrik Wessels has reportedly been handed a nine-week suspension for an act of foul play despite a lack of video evidence.
The incident occurred in the 18th minute of Friday night’s URC match between Connacht and the Bulls when Connacht flank Josh Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson that Wessels had grabbed his genitals at a breakdown.
There was no conclusive video evidence for the match officials, though, and Wessels remained on the field with Murphy red-carded for retaliation.
LAlthough the incident was not captured on camera, a disciplinary committee on Sunday ruled against the 23-year-old, imposing a lengthy suspension.
According to Rapport, sources close to the process say the decision was made despite the absence of conclusive footage.
The Bulls are expected to appeal the ruling
Goodwin also oversaw the controversial four-game ban for Stormers prop Neething Fouche earlier this year. The Stormers attempted to overturn that suspension for a dangerous tackle but were unsuccessful in doing so.
Wessels’ potential ban is another blow to the Boks’ stocks after Makazole Mapimpi was issued with a five-game ban for his tackle on Mike Lowry in the Sharks’ defeat to Ulster in Durban.
In 2020, ex-England prop Joe Marler was hit with a 10-week ban for a similar offence.
The incidents in Galway have already come under the spotlight with ex-Irish referee boss Owen Doyle slamming Adamson’s handling of the events.
When Connacht’s Josh Murphy, suddenly angered, turned and hit the Bulls’ Jan-Hendrik Wessels in a ruck, it was clearly a reaction to something,” he wrote in his Irish Times column.
“Murphy insisted to Adamson that it was, as the referee politely put it, to do with his groin area. Testicle grabbing must be a straight red card without replacement, but the camera angles failed to confirm what Murphy had said.
“Of course, no blame whatsoever attaches to the officials for the lack of intel, but I have to take issue with what happened next.”
He continued: “The TMO, Hollie Davidson, called Murphy’s action accurately: ‘I’m not seeing a high degree of danger.’ The referee repeated that ‘we’re not seeing a high degree of danger’ and also added that it met the yellow card threshold. He then asked for confirmation that, in the absence of a bunker official, the decision was down to him. Given the context of the offence, just a penalty would have been a fair call.
“But disbelief followed as Adamson handed Murphy a 20-minute red card, meaning he would have to be replaced. Where that colour came from is a mystery, but it seems the referee got his wires completely crossed.”
