Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my career - Burrell

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour

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

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

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

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.

"I hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations underway.

"This situation was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

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

Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has placed considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and since 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 work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports 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 pleased of what you have accomplished," 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 ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

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

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

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

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I grab the bull by the horns and keep carrying this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."