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

Warning: This article includes details of discriminatory language and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The governing body 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 professional game."

"The organization has given significant attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.

"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.

"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

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