Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my career - Burrell

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in rugby union brought his career to an early end.

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

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

"I have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he told reporters.

"I hoped to carry on competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."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 problem that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

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

"We has placed significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend 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 about his experiences.

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the film, and his sister died recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more accessible.

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the field with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

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

"I grab the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."