Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination cut short my professional journey - Luther Burrell

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

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 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 media outlets.

"I hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations underway.

"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has placed considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.

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

"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. 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 sibling passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His charitable organization aims to connect with children in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.

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

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

"I take the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

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