gair rhydd
FREE
CARDIFF'S STUDENT WEEKLY
Inside this week...
fashion prepare you for the party season film review Cardiff soundtrack festival music pick their album of 2009
freeword - EST. 1972
ISSUE 912 DECEMBER 07 2009
Politics get cheeky with MP Lembit Opik, page 16
Gherkin' off Rugby team investigated for violating health and safety rules Emma McFarnon News Editor An investigation is underway after members of the engineering rugby team supposedly caught food poisoning after they ate gherkins that had been inserted into their anuses during an initiation. The Council's Communicable Disease team is looking into the incident, which took place on November 11. The initiation, which began at Roath Rec and finished at The Lash, involved ENGIN rugby team members taking part in what the Facebook event page described as "gruelling challenges" that tested "Strength of Stamina”, "Strength of Character" and "Strength of Stomach". The team members were encouraged to lick milk up off a muddy floor and eat gherkins that had been inserted into fellow team member’s bottoms. The players involved are rumoured to have developed food poisoning as a result of the antics. The Facebook initiation event page urged members to "check out photos of the last two years", which depict a player inserting an egg into his bot-
tom, and another revealing his penis to the camera. Photos of team members inserting toilet paper into their backsides and then setting fire to it (right) can also be seen. None of the team members were available for comment when contacted by gair rhydd. Olly Birrell, Athletic Union President, said: “The Engineering rugby team is not recognised by the University or the Athletic Union as an associated club and we have not been made aware of the incident.” Cardiff County Council’s Marketing and Communications Officer, Elaine Cripps, said: “I can confirm the Council's Communicable Disease team are investigating the issue. I am unable to provide any further details until the investigation has been concluded.” She went on to say that the investigation is ongoing and that more information might be available at a later date.