Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my career - Luther Burrell

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

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

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

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

"I hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations going on.

"That was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred 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 February 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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 personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has placed considerable focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging conduct.

"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died recently.

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

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag 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 believe that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."