Sounding the alarm on racism terminated my career - Burrell

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

"I really wanted to continue playing, of course 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 come to terms with the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

"I've had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.

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

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

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

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

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

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has given considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game 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 creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful behaviour.

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the filming of the film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game 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 myself," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and keep bearing this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

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