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

Important note: This article includes details of discriminatory comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an premature end.

In a June 2022, 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.

At that time 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 media outlets.

"I wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

"I've had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he said.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

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

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

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has placed significant focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive cultures, 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 told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

"We 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 shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident others will become about sharing their own stories as well.

"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."