Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination ended my career - Burrell

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

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.

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

Then 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 media outlets.

"I really hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

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

Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.

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

"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred 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 rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has given considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," 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 Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.

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

"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have done 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 documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.

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

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."