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

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing 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 reporters.

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

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

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

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

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

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

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

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.

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

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

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

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

His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

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

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident others will become about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

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