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Jan-Hendrik Wessels, the Bulls’ United Rugby Championship front-rower, was given a nine-game suspension for grabbing Josh Murphy’s genitalia in the win over Connacht.

Connacht forward Murphy was sent a 20-minute red card after striking Wessels on the head in the 18th minute of the Bulls’ 28-27 victory in Galway on Friday.

Television match official (TMO) Hollie Davidson, who found no conclusive video evidence, reviewed the incident after Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson about Wessels.

Wessels did not start until he was substituted in the second half.

Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which states: “A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship,” despite the URC confirming Murphy’s 20-minute red card had been rescinded by a disciplinary panel. Performing this includes grabbing, twisting, or squeezing the genitalia.

The panel determined that the incident complied with World Rugby’s red card requirements and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban in the sport.

Wessels’ suspension, however, was reduced by three weeks as a result of the player’s “good conduct prior to and at the hearing and good record.”

The 24-year-old will not be allowed to play in the Springboks’ autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy, and Ireland, but Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal.

Additionally, he won’t play in the Bulls’ URC matches against Glasgow, the Lions and Sharks, and the Investec Champions Cup encounters with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels was a member of South Africa’s rugby championship-winning squad over the summer and has already won ten caps.

Despite the International Paralympic Committee lifting its ban on them, Russian and Belarusian para-athletes will not compete in the 2026 Winter Paralympics.

The Games are overseen by the IPC, but there are four distinct governing bodies in charge of the six competitions in Cortina d’Ampezzo and Milan.

Although Russia and Belarus are now permitted to play ice hockey, three of the country’s governing bodies decided to continue their bans on the two nations after it was too late to participate in qualifying.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, where Belarus was a close ally of Russia, both nations were barred from Paralympic competition.

In 2023, an exception to the partial ban, which allows athletes to compete as neutrals, was introduced.

At a meeting last month, IPC members voted to allow Russian and Belarusian para-athletes to compete under their own flags after the two countries’ suspensions were lifted.

However, the four international federations have now informed the IPC that no two athletes are likely to make it to March’s Games in reality.

World Paralympics has already decided which nations will compete in the qualifying competition for the two remaining spots at the Games while the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), International Biathlon Union (IBU), and World Curling have not lifted their bans.

We fully respect the decisions of each international federation regarding the sports they govern, according to IPC president Andrew Parsons, just as the IPC fully respects the IPC General Assembly’s decision to not suspend NPC Belarus and NPC Russia.

Due to the positions held by FIS, IBU, and World Curling, athletes and teams from Belarus and Russia are currently unable to compete in their division’s events, preventing them from qualifying for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

The six teams for November’s Paralympic Games qualification tournament have already been chosen, despite Belarus and Russia’s ability to enter Paralympics competitions at this late stage of the process.

Can Manchester United defeat Brighton on Saturday despite having won at Old Trafford in each of their previous three seasons?

“People get angry whenever I don’t back United to win but why should I trust them”? Chris Sutton, a BBC Sport football expert, said.

“They got a great result against Liverpool last time out, but it would be typical of them to follow that by losing this game”.

Sutton is anticipating AI, BBC Sport readers, and a host of other guests for all 380 Premier League games this season.

For week nine, he takes on class=”ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3″>The Charlatans guitarist Mark Collins, who supports Manchester United.

The Charlatans’ 14th studio album, We Are Love, is due out on October 31 and will be making a December UK tour.

Do you agree with their scores? Below, you can make your own predictions.

The most popular scoreline selected for each game is used in the scoreboards and tables at the bottom of this page.

Collins, who has been going to Old Trafford since he was growing up in the 1970s, once gave Gary Neville some guitar tips before the former United defender joined The Charlatans on stage.

I saw Gary last week, and he actually mentioned it, but I’m not sure if he’ll do it again in the near future, Collins told BBC Sport.

“He’d asked us to play a gig on the roof of Hotel Football]Neville’s hotel next to Old Trafford] when it opened in 2015.

We had heard that he used to travel with him when he was with England, so we decided to do it.

“I went round and gave him a couple of lessons, then we watched a few videos of the tune he was going to play – Just When You’re Thinkin ‘ Things Over – and went through a few chord shapes and a few moves for when we got him on stage”.

Was Gary’s guitar playing any good? Could the Neville brothers rival those other famous Manchester siblings, the Gallaghers?

He “had a few chords to play,” but let’s just say I “covered for him”! was Collins ‘ verdict.

Chris Bevan spoke with BBC Sport’s Chris Sutton and Mark Collins.

Nuno Espirito Santo was brought in to keep West Ham alive, but it seems like he will find it difficult.

He is still waiting for his first win after three games as Hammers manager, and his side were quite lucky to only lose 2-0 against Brentford on Monday.

I wonder how a team can ever win a game when they play as poorly as West Ham did then.

Leeds are not on a great run either, but I still feel like they’ve been competitive when I’ve seen them.

Most people would probably choose to draw this one, which is what I’m anticipating readers to do in any case, but I believe Leeds will win.

I have a feeling West Ham will score, because Jarrod Bowen is always dangerous, but I don’t fancy them to keep a clean sheet even though sorting out their defence is probably Nuno’s priority.

Sutton’s prediction: 2-1

Mark’s prediction: Neither of these teams are having a great time of it at the moment. This will likely be a draw because they both desperately need a win. 1-1

This fixture does not hold too many good memories for me, because my Chelsea debut was against the Black Cats in 1999.

Even though I missed a few one-on-ones, they are terrible memories, and I still received a win bonus even though, in retrospect, I should have known better.

I am going for another Chelsea win this time too, even though Joao Pedro is in my Fantasy team and he is not scoring.

On Wednesday, they made a lot of adjustments to beat Ajax, but they still came out on top.

Enzo Maresca’s side were not as convincing when they beat Forest last weekend and the 3-0 scoreline flattered them a bit, but after a bit of a wobble in September, they have now won four in a row in all competitions.

Although Sunderland are very well organized, I still think Chelsea will survive, which is probably bad for Blues supporters.

I don’t want to sound too negative about how my predictions are going, but I got Sunderland wrong every week even when I was doing well, and at the moment I am doing badly.

I’ll start off against the Black Cats again because I believe we are at the desired stage. They know it means there is a good chance of them winning.

Sutton’s prediction: 2-0

Mark’s prediction: When we played Sunderland they did ok, but Chelsea will have too much for them. 2-0

Even after they’ve only played in the Champions League, I almost always support Newcastle to win at home, and I’m confident in their chances too.

Eddie Howe’s side played well against Benfica in midweek and while I think Fulham are a well-organised team who are capable of going to St James ‘ Park and winning – like they did last season – they are not in great form at the moment.

Sutton’s 3-1 prediction

Mark’s prediction: There’s not much between these two teams either. Let’s try again at last weekend’s draw because they both lost. 1-1

United were lucky with their first goal against Liverpool last week because the game should have been stopped, and we’ve all seen the issues with the Liverpool backline this season too.

Therefore, while I fully understand why any victory for United at Anfield against their rivals is a significant result, it doesn’t mean they have turned the tables.

They have just managed back-to-back league wins for the first time since Ruben Amorim took charge last November, but I am not looking at them and thinking they will make it a hat-trick on Saturday.

I’m backing Brighton’s Danny Welbeck, who impressed me this week at the Monday Night Club.

The Seagulls are always bold under Fabian Hurzeler and they will be fearless at Old Trafford too. I’m supporting Welbeck to defeat his former club and score one of their goals.

It is down to United to prove me wrong, and show everyone they do have the consistency they have been lacking, and that may well be part of Amorim’s team talk.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-2

Mark’s favourite United players: I loved the two wingers we had in the 1970s, Gordon Hill and Steve Coppell, and I always appreciated that kind of player who is exciting to watch.

We’ve had a few of them over the years, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs, and I was hoping Antony would join them, but that didn’t quite work out, did it? At the moment I am enjoying watching Bryan Mbeumo play. He doesn’t have the same explosive personality as the others I’ve mentioned, but he fits in really well.

Mark’s prediction: I live in Portugal now but I am back in Cheshire for rehearsals this week and to go to this game, and United are going to put on a show for me!

I believe United will show some spirit at Old Trafford despite Brighton’s consistently strong recent attendance at Old Trafford. We are not going to take the foot off the pedal after beating Liverpool. Despite what Arne Slot was yelling about, we deserved that result, and I think this will be a convincing victory. 3-1

Liverpool will probably be without Alexander Isak after he was injured against Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday.

You get what you sow, in the sense that what has happened to him. Isak has been short of full fitness and especially sharpness all season anyway, and he did not help himself there by missing training with Newcastle in order to try to force his move to Anfield through.

Because of the amount of time he had off, and that is when injuries can start to accumulate, he now attempts to play catch-up instead of slam the ground with his.

Isak is too good a player not to eventually start scoring goals but this whole situation has affected Liverpool as a team too, because his lack of fitness is one of the reasons they have not clicked in the final third yet.

On Wednesday, they scored a few goals against Frankfurt, but they will struggle to do so.

Brentford were more dominant on the ball when they beat West Ham on Monday but you know how Bees boss Keith Andrews will set up his team for this game – they will sit and then counter, and they are good at it.

I don’t believe it will happen at some point, and I don’t believe it will happen here because of how vulnerable they are to direct balls in behind their defense.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-1

Mark’s prediction: Liverpool will probably win, but Brentford will probably score, and I’d love it if they scored from the spot in the dying moments. I hope I’m wrong but they have to, don’t they, otherwise Slot is going to get ‘ sacked in the morning ‘ sung at him. 1- 2

Nottingham Forest’s appointment of Sean Dyche is a good one, but I don’t believe he would be as successful there because of how his predecessor Ange Postecoglou was handled by his supporters.

Dyche is more of a Nuno Espirito Santo figure than an Ange in terms of how he will set his side up, but Forest’s aim now is to stay in the Premier League and Dyche has already shown he can keep teams up.

But for him, this is a difficult start. Bournemouth should have beaten Crystal Palace last week but they are still third and are flying at the moment.

I don’t think Forest will be able to hold back because the Cherries always give people chances, especially at home.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-0

Mark’s prediction: I am aware that when hiring a new manager, things don’t usually go back, as it does here. Bournemouth are a really good team and I don’t think Dyche will be able to turn things around that quickly. 2-0

Crystal Palace have given Arsenal some trouble in the past but how can anyone back against Mikel Arteta’s side at the moment? Not just because of their skill at set pieces, but also because they are a juggernaut.

Viktor Gyokeres got a couple of goals for the Gunners in the Champions League in midweek and I can see why Arteta raves about him.

Gyokeres may be perceived as a flat-track bully, but he will contribute some significant goals for Arsenal and gives them something they didn’t before.

If there is a side that can upset them at the moment, then it’s Crystal Palace – I saw them absolutely tear Liverpool to shreds at Selhurst Park a few weeks ago.

Even though they did not lie about it last week against Bournemouth, it still feels a lot like visiting Emirates Stadium and causing injury to Arsenal.

It doesn’t help that Palace play in the Europa Conference League on Thursday, because their squad is not big enough for European football.

The Arsenal squad is, and that will determine this one thing.

It is the Gunners ‘ defence that impresses me the most at the moment, though.

When I say that they will not be able to score against them in the league for the rest of the season, I’m only half-joking because it will help them win the title.

Sutton’s prediction: 2-0

Mark’s prediction: Palace are a decent team but Arsenal are at home. Arsenal will win 2-1 over the line, but it will be tight.

What a fantastic player is Erling Haaland.

All the Fantasy Football talk at the start of the season was about Haaland versus Mohamed Salah, and on the FPL podcast I do with Alistair Bruce-Ball and Statman Dave, they both said ‘ Haaland? No chance, so they chose Salah as their captain.

Guess what they are doing now? Everyone else has gotten a captaincy from them, just like they did me, and they copied me. It is dull as anything because everyone in the world has done the same.

We’re at the point where we simply expect him to score. He is like my old Blackburn strike partner Alan Shearer in that you just know it will happen.

Manchester City are more than just a one-man team, in all respects. Phil Foden is looking sharp again and I love the signing of goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Villa have won their previous three league games, so Pep Guardiola’s side will have to put up a tough test, just like City.

City have lost on their past two visits to Villa Park and, while I don’t see them getting turned over this time, they might have to settle for a point.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-1

I’m going to Villa, according to Mark’s prediction! No, not really – I know they have picked up a bit recently after a terrible start, but I still think City will be too strong for them. At the moment, Halaland is completely unplayable. 0-2

Wolves must ultimately triumph, and Burnley fans will undoubtedly be thinking that when they travel to Burnley, the game truly must happen for them.

Burnley will be eyeing victory too, though. They will find a lot of relief from their recent victory over Leeds, and they could do Wolves a lot of harm.

All things considered, it would be easy to go for a draw, but I am going to back Wolves to break their duck.

Sutton’s prediction: 2-0

Mark’s prediction: Wolves are struggling, and this draw is imminent. This might be quite boring! 0-0

Under Thomas Frank, Tottenham have expanded their play and can adapt to the opposition, but I don’t think they are always as effective in the final third.

It is a similar story with Everton. Whether Beto or Thierno Barry are leading their attack, I always believe they have a goal in them, but not from the center.

It must be frustrating for Toffees manager David Moyes but being realistic who can they attract, or afford, who would make a difference up front?

All of this leads me to believe that this will be a competitive game and that there won’t be a winner.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-1

Mark’s prediction: Everton are doing pretty well at their new ground and are still unbeaten there, so I am going to back them to win. After beating us in the Europa League final last year, I don’t like Spurs any more. I was in Bilbao for that, and it was a very disappointing night. 1- 1-0

Chris got three correct results, including one exact score, from the 10 games played in week eight, giving him 60 points.

He could compete with the BBC readers, who also received three correct answers with one exact score, and beat AI, which received four correct answers without an exact score and received 40 points.

The weekly win went to the guests, Aya and Addison from CBBC football drama Jamie Johnson FC.