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

Warning: This article contains details of racially offensive language and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

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

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries going on.

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

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.

"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has given significant attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.

"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," 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 ended your playing days, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more open.

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to fight 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 speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and continue supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

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