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

Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

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

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

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

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

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

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

"I have had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

"It's 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 believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has placed considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

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

"I know it has had this impact 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 son."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sibling died recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more open.

His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."