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

Warning: This piece includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

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

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

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

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

Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

"I have had several distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed 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 environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has placed considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.

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

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

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

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I grab the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

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