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

Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive comments and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.

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

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.

"I really wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations going on.

"That was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

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

Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream 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 professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has placed significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling died recently.

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

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

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

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

"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."