Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination cut short my career - Burrell

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

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

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

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I really hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.

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

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

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has placed significant focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, 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 died soon after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more open.

His charitable organization works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

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