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

Important note: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing 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 end my career because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.

"I really wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations underway.

"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.

"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a period of time you just learn to believe 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 go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told 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 culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has placed significant attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

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

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, 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 shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling died earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the field with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

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

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

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."