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

Warning: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

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

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

"I wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations going on.

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

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

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

"I have had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.

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

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has given considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

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

"You should be so pleased of what you have done," 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 ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

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

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to share their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I take the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."