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

Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" 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 invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged 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 bigger than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

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

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

"We has placed significant focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building inclusive environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.

"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."