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

Warning: This article includes details of discriminatory language and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.

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

At that time 34 and out of contract, 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 went on," he explained to reporters.

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

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

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has given considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

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

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

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more open.

His charitable organization works to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this banner and continue supporting this weight and do 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 economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it did for me."