Sounding the alarm on racism cut short my career - Burrell

Important note: This piece contains details of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union led his career to an premature end.

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

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

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.

"I wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations going on.

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

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

Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

"I've had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"Over a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has placed considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.

"You should be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.

His charitable organization works to reach children in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the field with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."