Sounding the alarm on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This article includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying 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 a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

"I really hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations underway.

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

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

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

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

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

Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, 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.

"During a period of time you just begin 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 spurred to go public after a team-mate 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 revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has given considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

"You be so pleased 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 impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

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

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are pure, 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 fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this flag and keep supporting 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 believe that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."