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

Important note: This piece contains details of racially offensive language and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.

"I really hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.

"This is something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out 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 governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has placed considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" 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 Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the field with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their story 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 perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this flag and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."