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

Important note: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing 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 occurred," he explained to media outlets.

"I really wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries underway.

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

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

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

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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 issue that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen 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 action plan for the elite level."

"We has given considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

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

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.

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

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

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

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

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