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

Important note: This article includes details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering 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've have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he told reporters.

"I wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

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

Burrell revealed to 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 2014.

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

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

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 myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a extended period you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has given significant focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.

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

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His charitable organization aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

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

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."