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

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

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

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

"I wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.

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

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

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice 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 stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has given considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sister died recently.

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

His charitable organization works to connect with children in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and keep carrying this flag and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

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