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

Important note: This piece includes details of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an early end.

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

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.

"I really hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.

"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

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

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

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

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

"Over a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream 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 elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has given significant focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

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

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.

"You be so proud 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 finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the filming of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the field with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

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

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

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

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