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

Warning: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, 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 media outlets.

"I really hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries underway.

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

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's something that has been disguised as banter 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 think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream 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 environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has given significant attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.

"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," 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 finished your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

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

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more open.

His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight 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 confident others will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this flag and keep supporting this weight 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 honestly think that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."