Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination cut short my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This piece includes details of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.

"I really wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations underway.

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

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

Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"Over a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm 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 referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has given considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful behaviour.

"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"I know it has had this effect 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 shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister died recently.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

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

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

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