Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in professional rugby brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages 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 professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

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

"This situation was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has placed considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion 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 classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.

"You be so pleased of what you have done," 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 playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sibling died earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the field with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution 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 explained.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I take the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

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