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

Important note: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.

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

"That was challenging - I had to just 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 claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has given considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion 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 ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

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

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

"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.

His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are pure, 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 fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation 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 sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

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