Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my career - Burrell

Important note: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

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

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

"I hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

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

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

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

"I've had several distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.

"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called 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 "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

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

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the film, and his sibling died recently.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.

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

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