Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my career - Luther Burrell

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

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

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

"I have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries underway.

"That was challenging - I had to just accept the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations 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 faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

"I have had several distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the standard 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 instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

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

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.

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

"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away recently.

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support 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 nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their personal stories as well.

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

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."