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

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct

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

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

Then 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 definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

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

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

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

"Over a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated 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 disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has placed considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.

"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more open.

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I take the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this banner and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing 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 ability to change their futures, just as it did for me."