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

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized 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 without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

"I have had several distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

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

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

"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 heritage.

"During a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "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 introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has placed considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

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

"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," 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 proud of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His charitable organization works to reach children in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

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

"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."