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

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

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.

"I really wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect 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 earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

"I have 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 dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.

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

"Over a period of time you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

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

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.

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

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

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

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more open.

His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the field with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."