Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my career - Burrell

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racism in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject 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 have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

"I wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and accept that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

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 strategy for the professional game."

"We has given significant focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

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

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.

"You should 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 effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.

His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will become about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."