Sounding the alarm on racism terminated my career - Burrell

Important note: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory language and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.

"I really wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.

"This is something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has placed significant attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.

"You should be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more open.

His charitable organization aims to connect with children in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."