Sounding the alarm on racism cut short my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.

"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"The organization has given significant focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.

"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," 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 career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. 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 documentary, and his sister died recently.

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will become about sharing their own experiences as well.

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

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."