Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination cut short my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to just accept the fate and accept that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

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

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

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

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

"During a period of time you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed 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 environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has given considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

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

All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.

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

"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this banner and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."