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

Important note: This article includes details of racially offensive language and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

"This situation was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this whole situation 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 collect enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

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

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

Racism had become accepted 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 personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

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

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has placed considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

"You should 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 effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

His charitable organization aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."