Blowing the alarm on racism terminated my career - Burrell

Warning: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.

"I wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations going on.

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

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has placed significant focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful conduct.

"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.

"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

His charitable organization works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and keep carrying this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."