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

Important note: This article includes details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.

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

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries going on.

"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"Over a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard 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 team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has placed considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion 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 added.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.

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

"I know it has had this impact 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 family member."

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and keep carrying this banner and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

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