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

Warning: This article includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour

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

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.

"I really wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations going on.

"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.

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

"Over a extended period you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given considerable attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful conduct.

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.

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

His charitable organization works to connect with children in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and keep bearing 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 underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."