Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination ended my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject 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 invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.

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

"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

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

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

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

"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"The organization has placed considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating 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 behaviour.

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

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

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

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

His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My 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 pursuing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."