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

Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" 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 invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The governing body 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."

"We has placed significant attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging conduct.

"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more open.

His charitable organization works to reach children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the field with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

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

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about sharing their own stories as well.

"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."