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

Warning: This article includes descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I really wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

"That was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough proof to categorically 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 the national team," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"During a period of time you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations 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."

"The organization has given significant focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

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

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have done 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 recently.

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 connect with young people in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

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

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

"I take the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."