Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This article includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

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

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

"I wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"This situation was challenging - I had to just accept the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

"I've had several distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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

"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has placed significant focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the film, and his sister passed away recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.

His charitable organization works to reach young people in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

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

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I take the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

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