The Men’s Cricket Society at Cardiff University has been suspended over allegations of bullying and degrading initiations
11:40, 15 Oct 2025Updated 18:48, 15 Oct 2025
Cardiff University’s cricket team has been suspended(Image: Leonid Andronov via Getty Images)
A university cricket team has been banned after players’ heads were reportedly flushed down a toilet in an initiation ceremony. The Men’s Cricket Society at Cardiff University has been suspended over allegations of bullying and degrading initiations – which reportedly included players’ heads being flushed down toilets. The society is also accused of forcing new members to consume raw onions or excessive amounts of alcohol during team social events.
A witness said a player was throwing up in a nightclub toilet when a senior society member pushed his head into a bowl and flushed it, the Tab student paper reported.
He told them: “One of the boys was sick and one of the others in the society pushed his head down and held it.”
Another student described the behaviour as “a form of human torture” where new recruits were told to put wet socks in their mouths while being sworn at and called “worthless”.
The cricket team have since been suspended from the students union while an investigation takes place. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here
A spokesperson for the Men’s 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.”
A Cardiff Students’ Union spokesperson 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: “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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