Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination cut short my career - Burrell

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations going on.

"That was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a extended period you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has given significant attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating inclusive environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.

"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I take the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."