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

Warning: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing 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 have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

"I hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged 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 more important than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"Over a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told 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 introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has placed considerable focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

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

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the filming of the film, and his sibling died recently.

Burrell, who grew up 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 disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

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

"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and keep bearing this banner and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

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