Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination ended my career - Burrell

Warning: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racism in rugby union brought his career to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering 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 guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.

"I wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

"I've had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

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

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

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

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the film, and his sister passed away recently.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I take the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."