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

Important note: This piece contains details of racially offensive language and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told media outlets.

"I hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"Over a period of time you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has placed considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"We are ongoing work with clubs 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 face-to-face training on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.

"You should be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

"I know it has had this impact 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 dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sibling died recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more open.

His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring 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 story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game 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 grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."