Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination ended my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece contains details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, 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 went on," he told reporters.

"I really hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

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

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a period of time 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 eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has given significant focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive cultures, 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 damaging behaviour.

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

"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more accessible.

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

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