Blowing the alarm on racism cut short my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racism in rugby union led his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

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

"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to reporters.

"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations underway.

"This situation was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and accept that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."

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

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

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has placed considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, 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 effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I take the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

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