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

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory language and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" 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 end my career because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I hoped to carry on competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations going on.

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

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

Burrell told journalists he also faced 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 several distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

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

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

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

"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.

"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary 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 proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, 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 works to reach young people in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and keep carrying this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

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