Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my career - Burrell

Important note: This article contains details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

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

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

"I hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations underway.

"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 rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.

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

"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told 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 elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has given considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

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

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I take the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

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