Sounding the alarm on racism terminated my career - Burrell

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an early conclusion.

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

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I really wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

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

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and seen," 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 acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"We has placed significant attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging behaviour.

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

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

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

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

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

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this flag and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."