A university cricket society has been suspended indefinitely over its initiation rituals which have been described as ‘human torture’.
Cardiff University’s Men’s Cricket Society is facing allegations that freshers had their heads pushed into toilet bowls while wet socks were forced into the mouths of other students.
Other allegations included claims that new recruits being pressured to eat raw onions and ‘forced’ to down pints of beer and cider whilst they were ‘gagging’ and throwing up from the ‘mix of raw onions and alcohol.’
The incidents allegedly occurred at a sports social and are said to have seen freshers treated as ‘worthless’.
Cardiff University has now suspended the society with cricket training sessions no longer being held. There have also been claims that the red and yellow blazers, which make up the society’s uniform, are now banned.
In response to the allegations, the society has said it is appalled by the allegations and is investigating, but claims it has yet to find evidence that they are true.
The controversy came to light after members of different societies witnessed the appalling treatment of cricket members during an event at Misfits nightclub.
One student, who had been at the club, said that first year recruits were forced by ‘returning society members’ to take part in ‘degrading’ acts and instances of ‘bullying’.
Misfits nightclub in Cardiff where fellow students were appalled to witness the treatment of new members of Cardiff University’s Men’s Cricket Society
Another witness described it as ‘like watching a form of human torture’.
Fin, a student at the club, told The Cardiff Tab that first years were forced to ‘eat raw onions’ and to get down on their knees in cricket whites without any shoes.
Fin added that the floor was ‘soaking wet and it stank’, with new members ‘barefoot’ and ‘having to put wet socks in their mouths’.
There were further reports that older students also threw pints on them.
Fin said: ‘One of my friends was in the way of some guy. He said, “excuse me”, and then he had to take his shoes and socks off and then put his socks in his mouth.’
A timer was then reportedly set for 10 minutes.
He added: ‘They weren’t enjoying it and obviously part of being a society means you’re going to have to do stuff that you wouldn’t normally do, but it was just a bit too far. Like the floor was soaking wet and it stank.
‘They were barefoot having to put their wet socks in their mouths and they couldn’t even talk to girls and if they did, they were being shouted at.’
He added: ‘Some of the guys in cricket did look quite uncomfortable, like, gagging at their drinks.’
Inside Misfits, another student, named Billie, claimed that while a first year was throwing up in the toilet, an older member of the society came in and ‘pushed’ his head into the toilet bowl.
The university has now indefinitely suspended the society following allegations that students had their heads forced down toilets and were forced to eat raw onions and down pints
Billie said: ‘One of the boys was sick and one of the others in the society pushed his head down [the toilet bowl] and held it’.
The Cricket Club said: ‘We are appalled and shocked by these allegations and are working closely with the Students’ Union to get to the bottom of these allegations.
‘These allegations do not represent the ethos of the Cricket Club, and any individual found to be guilty of these allegations will be punished accordingly.
‘The club would also like to emphasise that these are allegations and have not found any evidence that they are true as of yet.’
Misfits said: ‘We are not aware of any behaviour such as “forcing a first year’s head down the toilet of Misfits and flushing it for approximately 10 seconds” and do not condone such behaviour in any way.
‘This was not brought to our attention on the day and there was not any behaviour or issues flagged by customers or staff on the day.
‘Welfare of customers and staff members is a huge focus for us and we spend a lot of time as a team making sure people are safe and looked after so they can enjoy their night out in a safe manner.
‘We would never allow any type of bullying to go on in the venue.
‘We have a long-standing relationship with Cardiff University Men’s Cricket Club and have been nothing but friendly and respectful to our staff and the venue up to this point.’
Cardiff Students’ Union said: ‘We are aware of concerns that have been raised regarding the behaviour of members of the Men’s Cricket Club and are working closely with the committee to review the allegations. The club’s activities have been suspended while investigations are carried out.
‘Cardiff Students’ Union does not tolerate intimidating or degrading behaviour of any kind. We expect all student clubs and societies to uphold our values of respect and inclusion at all times.
‘Each year, Cardiff Students’ Union supports and trains hundreds of student group leaders who make a positive contribution to university life through safe, inclusive and engaging activities. Where any activity falls below the standards expected, we take such matters seriously and address them in line with our disciplinary procedures.’
Cardiff University said it condemns the alleged behaviour and said: ‘We have a zero-tolerance approach towards ‘initiations’. Such behaviours will not be tolerated. We work closely with our Students’ Union to investigate and will take appropriate action against those found to be involved.’
