Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination ended my career - Burrell

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying 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 three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

"I really hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", 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 win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"Over a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to 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 revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"The organization has given considerable focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.

"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

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

Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.

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

His charitable organization works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

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

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."