Sounding the alarm on racism cut short my professional journey - Burrell

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

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

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

"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"Over a period of time you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream 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 environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has placed significant attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful behaviour.

"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."