A university cricket society has been suspended after reports of ‘human torture’ initiation rituals surfaced.
Members of Cardiff University’s Men’s Cricket Society allegedly treated freshers as ‘worthless’ at sports socials, with one student claiming to have his head pushed into a toilet bowl.
Other allegations included students being pressured to eat raw onions, having their faces stuffed with wet socks and being ‘forced’ to down pints.
Student newspaper The Tab has reported that training sessions are no longer being held, and there have been claims that the red and yellow blazers, which make up the society’s uniform, are also banned.
The society said it is appalled by the allegations and is investigating, but claims it has yet to find evidence that they are true.
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It’s since been confirmed to The Cardiff Tab that the cricket society’s activities have been suspended while a probe is carried out.
The claims came to light following reports from other societies that were also holding socials in Misfits on the same night.
One student, who had been at the club, told The Cardiff Tab that first-year recruits were forced by ‘returning society members’ to take part in the degrading acts.
Another witness described it as ‘like watching a form of human torture’.
One witness, named Fin, claimed first years were forced to ‘eat raw onions’ and to get down on their knees in cricket whites without any shoes.
Fin told the Tab the floor was ‘soaking wet and it stank’, as new members were forced to put ‘wet socks’ in their mouths.
There were further reports that older students also threw pints on them.
Members of the society allegedly pressured first-year students to down pints of cider and beer, whilst they were gagging and throwing up from the ‘mix of raw onions and alcohol.’
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.
‘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,’ he added.
Inside Misfits, another student, named Billie, claimed that while her first year was throwing up in the toilet, an older member of the society came in and forced his head into the toilet bowl.
Misfits told The Cardiff Tab it would never tolerate bullying in its venue, and was unaware of such behaviour, as this was not reported by staff or students on the day.
Cardiff University said it adopts a zero-tolerance approach to initiations and is working closely with the union to investigate the claims.
After the social had ended, witnesses and other Cardiff Uni students reported cups scattered on the street outside the venue, alongside onions, socks, and sick.
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 were no 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.’
They added: ‘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.’
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.’
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