Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination ended my career - Burrell

Important note: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.

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

Then 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 retire because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.

"I hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations underway.

"That was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become accepted 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 personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a extended period 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 explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling died earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His charitable organization aims to reach children in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

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

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

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