Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racism in rugby union led his career to an premature 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 playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and accept that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

"I've had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

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

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered 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 malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player 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 governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has placed significant focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful conduct.

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

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

Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."