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

Important note: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.

"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

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

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they occurred 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 debut in February 2014.

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

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

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

"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has given significant attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

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

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

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

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the filming of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

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