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

Warning: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racism in rugby union led his professional journey to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he told reporters.

"I wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries going on.

"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and understand that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

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

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has placed considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

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

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the field with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I take the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."