Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination cut short my career - Burrell

Important note: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.

"I really hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

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

Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has given significant focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died recently.

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

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I grab the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."