Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my career - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour

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

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing 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 definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I really hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries underway.

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

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

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

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

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

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 begin to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told 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 culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has given considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the field with free sports training, guidance 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 continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

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

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."