Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my career - Burrell

Important note: This piece includes details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications 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 a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.

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

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

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

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

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

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

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

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

"Over a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on creating inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sister passed away recently.

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

His charitable organization works to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the field with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I take the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

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