Sounding the alarm on racism terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.

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

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

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

"I really wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the outcome 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 "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"During a period of time you just begin 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 eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has placed significant attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared 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 acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging behaviour.

"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told 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 achieved 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 died recently.

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I take the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."