Former England rugby player Luther Burrell has revealed that his professional career came to an abrupt end after he spoke out about the racist abuse he endured from teammates. Burrell, who represented England as a centre between 2014 and 2016, said that his decision to expose the racism he faced within the sport effectively cost him the opportunity to continue playing professionally.
Burrell first brought the issue to light in 2022 when he detailed the racist behaviour he had been subjected to while playing for Newcastle. Among his allegations were that a teammate once referred to him as a “slave” and mocked him by saying he needed sunscreen on his wrists and ankles because “that’s where your shackles were.” His disclosures led to an investigation, which he says ultimately led to him being sidelined from the sport.
Despite his desire to continue playing, Burrell explained that the controversy surrounding the investigation made clubs hesitant to offer him contracts. He stated that although he pursued opportunities to remain in the game, potential moves fell through once word spread about the probe into his allegations. Eventually, he was left with no choice but to retire, describing the experience as deeply disappointing but necessary to expose a wider issue in rugby.
An inquiry by the Rugby Football Union later concluded that, on the balance of probability, Burrell’s allegations were credible, though it could not definitively verify every incident or identify those responsible. The findings confirmed that certain racist behaviour had taken place, including inappropriate messages shared in a players’ WhatsApp group and racist remarks made during team outings. However, the lack of concrete evidence such as specific names or dates meant that disciplinary measures could not be taken against individual players.
Burrell has since reflected on the experience, describing much of the racism he faced as being disguised as “banter.” He also revealed that similar undertones of discrimination existed throughout his time in the sport, including during his international career with England. He said that beyond the surface-level jokes, there was a culture within rugby that allowed racial stereotypes and casual racism to persist unchecked.
Burrell’s experience sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by athletes of colour in rugby, raising difficult questions about accountability, inclusion, and the true cost of speaking out against racism in professional sport.
