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

Warning: This piece includes details of discriminatory language and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

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

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I really hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become accepted 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 personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told 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 culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has placed considerable attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

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

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.

"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 effect on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."