Blowing the alarm on racism cut short my career - Burrell

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering 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 definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to reporters.

"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

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

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

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

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

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 problem that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

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

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

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience 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 game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and keep bearing this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

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