Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I really hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations underway.

"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given considerable attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

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

All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

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

"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"We know it has had this impact 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 family member."

Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sibling died earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."