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

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, 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 without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.

"I really hoped to carry on competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

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

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

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

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

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

"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a period of time 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 says he was eventually 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 your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.

"You should be so proud of what you have done," 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 finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

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, maintains his work to make the sport 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 coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this banner and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."