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

Warning: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing 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 media outlets.

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

"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

"This is something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and seen," 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 explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"We has given significant focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on creating inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

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

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister died recently.

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."