Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This piece includes details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early end.

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

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations underway.

"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

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

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

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

"During a extended period you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "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 action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from harmful behaviour.

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

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

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

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

"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I grab the bull by the horns and keep carrying this flag and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."