Blowing the alarm on racism terminated my career - Burrell

Warning: This article includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early conclusion.

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

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

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told media outlets.

"I really wanted to continue playing, naturally 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 come to terms with the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

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

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

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

"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"The organization has placed significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from harmful conduct.

"You should be so pleased of what you have done," 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 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 dad Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."