Cardiff Council’s investigation into the food poisoning incident involving the ENGIN rugby team has concluded that food poisoning did occur as a direct result of the boys’ antics.

The incident, which took place in November last year, involved members of the team eating gherkins that had been held between their buttocks and licking milk off a muddy floor. The boys were rumoured to have contracted food poisoning as a result, and the incident was investigated by the Council’s Communicable Diseases team over Christmas.

The team alleged that the food poisoning had been a result of eating undercooked chicken at the Trevithick café, but the Council concluded that the café played no part in the outbreak. A Cardiff Council spokesperson confirmed that the food poisoning had been a direct result of the boys’ initiation antics, which involved them eating partially cooked liver, raw heart and gherkins that had been inserted into their bottoms.

gair rhydd’s coverage of the incident sparked controversy last year as members of the ENGIN rugby team tried to defend themselves on the comments page of the gair rhydd website.

One team member pointed out that: “No Engin fresher was ever asked to insert a gherkin up their anus, but to simply hold it between their cheeks.”

A spokesperson for the University said: “Cardiff Council’s Communicable Disease Team has completed its investigation and found that food poisoning had occurred.

“The University will be working with the Council to ensure the dangers of eating raw/undercooked meats or contaminated foods are communicated to the students involved, and to students in all years of study.” They later added: “The investigation ascertained that the outbreak of food poisoning was a direct result of the activities in which the students engaged, and as a result of eating raw/undercooked meats or contaminated foods. Trevithick Café was not associated with this outbreak. The food poisoning was a result of consuming partially cooked and raw offal, namely liver (prepared by the students) and raw heart and consuming contaminated foods (gherkins contaminated by the students).” A member of the ENGIN RFC team said: “Neither the team nor the individuals involved have been made aware of any decisions taken by the Council.”