Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination cut short my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This article includes details of discriminatory language and conduct

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

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling 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 invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I really wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations going on.

"That was challenging - I had to just accept the fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."

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

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

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

Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" 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 culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has placed considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

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

"I 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 family member."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

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

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."