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

Warning: This article contains details of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

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

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I really wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries going on.

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

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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 witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate 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 "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has given significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful behaviour.

"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

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

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will become about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."