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

Important note: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 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 happened," he explained to reporters.

"I really wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become normalised 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 myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has placed significant focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

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

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

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

"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are pure, 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 doing this for myself," he said.

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

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

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