The London School of Economics has disbanded its men's rugby team for distributing a misogynist, racist and homophobic leaflet at the annual freshers' fair. The Guardian reports that the Nona Buckley-Irvine, general secretary of LSE students’ union, said that the group had "brought shame" on the wider student community.

Nobody from the sports society owned up to writing the pamphlets, which described women as "mingers", "slags" and "trollops". It also said female athletes were "beast-like", made references to "Mandingos" and stated that "outright homosexual debauchery" would not be allowed in the club. 

In her statement, Buckley-Irvine said: "After considered deliberation and a wide investigation, LSE men’s rugby club will be disbanded for the rest of the academic year and not be allowed to represent LSE or LSESU. They will be withdrawn from any competitions already entered into."

She added: "The booklets distributed by the Rugby Club are clearly sexist, and demonstrate a culture within a club that is unable to challenge misogyny, sexism and homophobia. This culture, and how leaders within the Club have allowed it to prevail, has brought shame onto the Club itself, the Athletics’ Union and the wider student community."

Yesterday the mens' rugby club issued a "full and unreserved apology" for the booklet, saying that it "absolutely does not reflect the views and values of our club".

The club will be disbanded for the academic year, presumably so the guilty parties have some time to reflect on the wisdom of urging 18-year-old freshers to "do your utmost to pull a sloppy bird". Maybe they could spend the extra time reading some Simone de Beauvoir? Just a suggestion.