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

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

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

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

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

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.

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

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

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

"I've had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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

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

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

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed 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 environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has given considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging 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 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 filming of the documentary, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

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

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

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."