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

Important note: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in professional rugby brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

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

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.

"I really hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.

"That was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

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

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

"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

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

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has given significant attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

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

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.

"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

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

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

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

His charitable organization works to connect with children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I grab the bull by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

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