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

Important note: This article contains details of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

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

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to reporters.

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

"This situation was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome 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 true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

"I have had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."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 humour 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 learn to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen 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 elite level."

"We has placed considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.

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

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

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

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."