Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour

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

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told reporters.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"We has given significant focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging conduct.

"You be so proud of what you have done," 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 eyes, 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 soon after the filming of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the field 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 prepared to share their story then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I grab the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it did for me."