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

Important note: This article contains details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racism in rugby union led his career to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.

"I really wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

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

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

"I have had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."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 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 standard and that is acceptable 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 "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.

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

"I 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 impressed of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

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

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."