Blowing the alarm on racism terminated my career - Burrell

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

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

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

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

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

"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations underway.

"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

"I've had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed 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 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 class discrimination," it continued.

"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

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

"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.

"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the field with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

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