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

Warning: This article contains details of discriminatory language and behaviour

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

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

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

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I really wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations underway.

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

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

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

Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to 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 "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has given considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building welcoming environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated 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 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 playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the filming of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this flag and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."