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

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

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his career to an early end.

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

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations underway.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively 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 earn 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.

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

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

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

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

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.

"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary 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 impressed of you and to have you as a son."

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

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.

His charitable organization works to connect with children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the field with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."