Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination ended my career - Burrell

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

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

"This situation was difficult - I had to simply accept the fate and accept that this whole process 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 collect sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"Over a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"We has placed considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from harmful conduct.

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

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

Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I take the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."