52 students banned from sports teams amid sexual harassment allegations

Dozens of students from Surrey University have been banned from sports teams amid accusations of sexual harassment while on tour in Croatia.

A sporting disciplinary panel investigating the allegations said the culture of the men's football club and its spectators was becoming "increasingly unacceptable."

According to the panel, the club's "harmful and offensive" behaviour had become "normalised," and other members were afraid to speak out against it.

The panel decided the 52 students who had been on the tour to Croatia were forbidden from representing the university as part of any sports team.

One Surrey student said: "Realistically, sport very much takes a backseat. It has a reputation for being a week-long initiation event for the new sports team.

"People are just doing everything you would expect from a lads holiday. It is accepted that this is an alcohol heavy, raucous trip."

Ilovetour, a company widely known for sports tours, organised the trip. The package listed on their website describes one day of competitive sport, another of social sport, and "every party you can imagine."

In one game, members of the club were encouraged to make advances on women, while others attempted to "intercept" them.

An SU boss said: "We became aware of the misconduct, and as investigations proceeded any individual students who were accused of committing a ‘major’ offence as per the student disciplinary regulations were referred to a university investigation."

The university launched its own investigation into the students' conduct. One was expelled on account of three incidents of sexual harassment and one of aggressive behaviour.

Another two were issued with final warnings and made to apologise.

One of those disciplined was forbidden from entering uni premises at certain times. Another was banned from attending social events.

The men's football club have "sincerely apologised" for what its members did during the Croatia tour.

A spokesperson for the club said: "The club fully accepts the sanctions put in place by the students' Union at the end of last year and the main perpetrators have now left the University.

"We are now focusing on the year ahead and are committed to ensuring that we prevent similar events from happening again."

A Surrey University spokesperson said: "We are deeply saddened by the actions of these students.

"They used unacceptable language and behaviour and showed little consideration for their fellow students.

"We have taken robust action against them and will continue to do so to protect the safety and wellbeing of our wider student and staff community.

"We are supporting the students who were affected directly."

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