Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article contains details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

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

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

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

"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively 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 debut in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"Over a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has placed significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"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 son."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sibling died recently.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

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

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this banner and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."