Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination ended my career - Burrell

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

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

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for 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 absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

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

"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 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 some 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 disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

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

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

"The organization has placed significant focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

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

"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

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

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

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

His charitable organization aims to reach children in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

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

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.

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

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