Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination ended my career - Burrell

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

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed 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 have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries underway.

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

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

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

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

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has placed significant focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and after 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 work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful behaviour.

"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have done so well. 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 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 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I grab the bull by the horns and keep carrying this banner and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

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