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

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I really hoped 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 challenging - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire situation is a lot bigger 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 gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.

"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

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

"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

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

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have done so well. 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 documentary, and his sister passed away recently.

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

His charitable organization aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

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

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

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and keep bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

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