Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination cut short my career - Burrell

Warning: This article includes details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

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

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.

"I wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

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

Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.

"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"We has placed considerable focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

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

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His charitable organization works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share 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 responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."