Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination cut short my career - Burrell

Warning: This piece contains details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

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

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

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I really hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries underway.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered 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 several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in 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 eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.

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

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

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution 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 doing this for myself," he said.

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

"I take the bull by the horns and keep bearing this flag and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."