Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my career - Burrell

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby led his career to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.

"I really wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations underway.

"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"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 nonsense."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "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 action plan for the elite level."

"We has placed considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building welcoming environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to 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 done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to share their story then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."