Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article includes details of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing 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 end my career because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.

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

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

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

"I've had several distressing experiences within the national team," 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"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."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 issue that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a extended period 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 spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

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

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

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

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

His charitable organization works to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

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

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

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