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

Warning: This article includes details of racially offensive comments and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racism in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.

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

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

"That was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

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

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

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as banter 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 learn to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"We has placed considerable attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from harmful conduct.

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister died recently.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

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

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."