American Rugby

A "huge beer bash" has led to the University of Delaware Rugby Club being handed a five-year ban.

The party in Newark was hosted by members of the rugby club but was not sanctioned by the team's president. As things stand, the club are not allowed to play or use the university's facilities until 2018. But Ian Combs, president of the club, is appealing the suspension saying they should not be penalised for the "action for the two students who staged the party".

Reports on 6abc.com claim police have said "the party hosts encouraged the excessive behaviour that led to a near-riot in downtown Newark".

"It would set us back to the Stone Age," said Combs. "It is basically the death penalty."

Police said several thousand people were so out of control that police requested assistance from 75 officers from surrounding counties.

The two hosts of the party have been arrested as has a further man who jumped on a car in the high street and caused $5400 damage, according to the owner. Reports say the police are seeking to identify 11 more vandals along with a photographer who worked for the company who hosted the party, 'I'm Shmacked'.