Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my career - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he told reporters.

"I hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become accepted 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 seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has given considerable attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

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

"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 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 dad Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died recently.

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

His charitable organization works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing 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 speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."