Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my career - Burrell

Important note: This article includes descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for 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 have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.

"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.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

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

Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

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

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

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

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

"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

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

"We has given significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, 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 father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sibling died recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more open.

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.

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

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."