Sounding the alarm on racism ended my career - Burrell

Important note: This article contains details of racially offensive comments and conduct

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

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject 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 absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.

"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations underway.

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

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

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

"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"During a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"We has given significant focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

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

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.

"You should be so pleased 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 effect on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about sharing their own stories as well.

"I take the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."