Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination ended my career - Burrell

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

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

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

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

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

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

Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

"I've had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.

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

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has given significant focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters 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 inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.

"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," 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 view, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."