Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This article includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" 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 guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

"I really hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some 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 problem that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally 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 revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"The organization has given considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly 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 acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect 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 film about his experiences.

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

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

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

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I grab the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's 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 did for me."