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

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

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.

"I really wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.

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

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

"I have had several distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has placed significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

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

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful conduct.

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

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister died recently.

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

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."