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

Warning: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" 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 went on," he told media outlets.

"I hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries underway.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

"I have had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.

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

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

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

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

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed 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 professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has given considerable focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from harmful conduct.

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

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

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are pure, 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 doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this banner and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."