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

Warning: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.

"I hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

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

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

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"During a extended period you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

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

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

"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," 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 playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

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

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

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

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