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

Important note: This article includes details of discriminatory language and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" 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 definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

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

"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they happened 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 2014.

"I have had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

"Some discrimination and other 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 dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a period of time you just learn to think 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 go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"We has given considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

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

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.

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

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more open.

His charitable organization aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

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

"I grab the bull by the horns and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

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