Students at Princess Anne's University are banned from playing rugby because of sexual and physical abuse during initiation rites

Students at Harper Adams University were temporarily banned from playing rugby following allegations of sexual and physical abuse during initiation ceremonies.

The university, whose Chancellor is the Princess Royal, received an interim suspension from the Student Rugby Football Union (SRFU) just days before students were due to return for the new academic year.

Previously, allegations had been made that students had been forced to drink urine, sexually abused with wine bottles and whipped at rugby events.

The university conducted an internal investigation after a student revealed the abuse he suffered at the Shropshire university, with four other students later backing his claims.

The ban means that students can no longer take part in any organised rugby events, including competitions in British university and college sports.

The first student to come forward, Student X, said he reported the university's initiation rites because he feared they could “become dangerous.”

The documents, seen by The Telegraph last month, also included “Student 'X'”, who reported the initiation rites to the university because he feared they could “become dangerous”.

Initiation rites, also known as hazing or hazing, are events in which student organizations or sports teams force new students to engage in dangerous and degrading behavior. They are often seen as a way to bond with the team or socially.

The institution admitted in its report that some students were subjected to “extreme activities” during initiation ceremonies, but no further action was taken as the students were no longer at the university.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU), the national governing body of rugby union in England, said it was “deeply concerned” about the allegations and could “not yet be assured” that Harper Adams had improved the protection measures for students.

A spokesman told The Telegraph: “This type of behaviour is completely unacceptable and has no place in our sport.”

“The RFU has been in contact with the university since the allegations recently came to light. The RFU and the Students Rugby Football Union (SRFU) are united in their concerns about the actions of Harper Adams University in this case and have yet to be confident that the institution has taken action to correct the conduct and protect its players.”

Founded in 1901, Harper Adams is a specialized college of agricultural sciences.

Student “X” claimed that “cruel” acts were dismissed by students as “tradition” or “rite of passage.”

Reports from West Mercia Police show that Student X claimed he was sexually harassed by a member of the university's rugby team during a pimp and slut night at a local pub.

Student X claimed that rugby players had twice put out cigarettes on his body and that on one occasion “four to five cigarettes” had been put out on his back.

He said he was forced to change universities after the abuse.

Founded in 1901, Harper Adams is a specialist college of agricultural sciences, offering over 50 undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate courses.

All five students interviewed as part of the university's investigation admitted to witnessing the flogging of students, The Telegraph reported.

Two of the students witnessed alleged sexual assaults, including one student who claimed he himself was a victim of sexual assault.

One student was reportedly seen being hospitalized after having cattle marrow sprayed in his eye, another suffered burns when he was doused with spicy curry sauce, and a third was reportedly “stripped naked and left in an unknown location.”

West Mercia Police launched an investigation into Student X's numerous claims, but later closed the case due to insufficient evidence.

Harper Adams University has been contacted by MailOnline for comment.