Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece contains details of racially offensive language and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he told media outlets.

"I really hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries underway.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and seen," 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 harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream 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 elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has placed significant attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

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

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

"We 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 dad Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling died earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."