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

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby brought his career to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I really hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations going on.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.

"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually 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 rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has given considerable attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building welcoming environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

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

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and ended 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 dad Geoff died shortly after the filming of the film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.

His charitable organization works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed 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 sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this banner and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

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