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

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

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.

"I hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries underway.

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

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

"I have had several distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

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

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered 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 malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

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

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

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

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

"You should be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the film, and his sister passed away recently.

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

His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing 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 speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."