St Anne’s football team
has been banned from holding any team socials after an incident involving two
members of the team and the College’s deputy dean. On Friday 28 October,
several members of the football team returned to the College after their termly
social and one member of the group argued with the Deputy Dean, Susan James,
while another member of the team was verbally abusive towards her. The team had
been at an Indian restaurant and did not all return to College together.In
an email to the members of the football team the dean of St Anne’s, Professor
Peter Ireland, said that he was “appalled at the behaviour of two members of
the club”, and that he had also “seriously considered banning the football team
from representing college. If there are any further complaints about the
behaviour of the football team I will discuss this option with the Principal.”
Football team socials have been banned for events organised both on and off the
St Anne’s College site until the further notice. Professor Ireland added in
his email, “The individual who has argued with the Deputy Dean has had the
decency to step forward. The individual who verbally abused the Dean has not
done so… I will consider lifting the ban if the latter identifies himself.”Richard
Curran, the Captain of the football team, said, “St Anne’s football club deeply
regrets the incident and has cooperated as fully as possible with the decanal
staff to reach a satisfactory conclusion.” He added, “The club feels that any
punishments should remain between the decanal staff and and the individuals
involved.”Professor
Ireland told Cherwell that an incident had taken place “where a number of
students had conducted themselves in a manner that was in violation of College
regulations. Those involved have been punished. The College will not tolerate
abusive behaviour.”So
far the St Anne’s football club’s three teams are still competing in the
University’s JCR leagues. Curran added, “It would be pointless for me to
speculate whether further action will occur.”ARCHIVE: 5th week MT 2005
St Anne’s bans football socials
