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

Warning: This article contains details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely 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 fell through when news came out that there were inquiries going on.

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

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

"I've had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"The organization has placed significant attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging behaviour.

"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"We know it has had this impact on you and ended 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 father Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sibling died recently.

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

His charitable organization works to reach young people in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll persist to fight 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 great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this flag and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."