Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Luther Burrell

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

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led 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 subject to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.

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

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

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

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

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During 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 eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful behaviour.

"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

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

"I need to take the bull by the horns and keep bearing this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."