Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Luther Burrell

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

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racism in rugby union led his career to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

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

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he told reporters.

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

"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Some discrimination and other 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 banter and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a period of time you just begin 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 spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has placed considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building welcoming environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from harmful behaviour.

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

"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 impressed of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His charitable organization works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."