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

Warning: This piece includes details of discriminatory comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing 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 have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to reporters.

"I really hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations underway.

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

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced 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 acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has placed considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

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

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on creating inclusive environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.

"You be so proud 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 effect on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have done 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 passed away recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more open.

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

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

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I take the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."