Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination cut short my career - Luther Burrell

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

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.

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

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.

"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a period of time you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed 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 "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has given considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

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

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the film, 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 works to reach young people in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."