Blowing the alarm on racism terminated my career - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.

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

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

"I have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.

"I hoped to carry on competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations underway.

"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some 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 disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has placed significant focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive 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 damaging behaviour.

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.

His charitable organization works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations 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 advocate for that fight 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 hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."