Blowing the alarm on racism cut short my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This article contains details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.

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

"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the outcome and accept that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told 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 multiple 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 experience.

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

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

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

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

"The organization has placed considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful conduct.

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the field with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

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

"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."