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

Warning: This article includes details of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal 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 game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I really wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"That was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"Over a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"The organization has given considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

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

"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.

"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

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

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the field with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I grab 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 attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."