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

Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.

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

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

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.

"I wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

"I've had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become normalised 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 seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"We has given significant attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on building inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.

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

"I know it has had this effect 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 father Geoff died soon after the production of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more accessible.

His charitable organization aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive 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 nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

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