Blowing the alarm on racism cut short my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

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

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for 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 have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

"I really hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has placed significant attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

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

"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.

"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I take the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

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