Cricketers banned as university suspends club over 'initiation' event

A university cricket club has been suspended for the rest of the academic year, with players banned, following an investigation into reports of "serious misconduct".

Concerns first emerged in October regarding the behaviour of members of the Cardiff University sports team during an initiation event at a pub in the city.

Cardiff University Students' Union confirmed the men's cricket club would be suspended and that committee members responsible for the club at the time of the incident will no longer be allowed to represent the university in cricket.

In a statement, the university said it had a "zero-tolerance position on initiation-type behaviour".

It added: "These behaviours were inconsistent with our Code of Conduct, breached explicit guidance that had been repeatedly communicated to the Club Committee in advance, and raised significant concerns around student safety and welfare.

"Our approach is guided by a clear duty of care to students and a zero-tolerance position on initiation-type behaviour.

"While we want students to take part in sport and social activity, we will act where evidence shows our expectations have not been met to ensure activity is run responsibly."

The university said it is taking steps to establish a cricket programme administered directly by the Students' Union for students who were not involved in the reported behaviour.

It also said it would consider applications from students to establish a men's cricket club in a future academic year, but any any future application would be subject to "robust scrutiny".

The university added that it would be writing to all sports club members to reiterate the standards of behaviour required of anyone representing the students' union or the wider university.