Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

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

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations underway.

"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in February 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"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."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 accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"We has placed significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

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

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging 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 ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died recently.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their own stories as well.

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

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."