Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my career - Burrell

Warning: This article includes details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to reporters.

"I really hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations going on.

"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and understand that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."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 issue that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a period of time you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated 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 chains would be placed."

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

"The organization has placed significant attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful conduct.

"You be so proud 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 impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."