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Professional rugby player Luther Burrell revealed that his career was cut short due to his decision to speak out about racism in the sport. In an interview with the Mail on Sunday in June 2022, Burrell shared his experiences of racism within the game, including instances of offensive language and behavior. As a result of going public with his story, the former England center found himself out of contract and only able to play three games with the Barbarians, an invitational team.
Despite his desire to continue playing, Burrell faced obstacles after news of investigations into his claims surfaced. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) confirmed in April 2023 that, based on the balance of probability, Burrell’s allegations were true. However, the lack of concrete evidence prevented them from definitively stating that the incidents occurred at Newcastle, where Burrell had played.
Burrell also highlighted instances of discrimination within the England national team, where he won 15 caps during his career. He described facing traumatic experiences and outdated mentalities that were unacceptable. The normalization of racism as banter in dressing rooms was a significant issue that Burrell hoped to address by speaking out.
In response to Burrell’s revelations, the RFU acknowledged the need for a cultural shift within the elite game and implemented an action plan for the professional sport. Efforts to promote inclusivity and diversity, including education on building inclusive cultures and training for players to intervene in harmful situations, have been put in place. Burrell’s mother expressed pride in her son’s actions, despite the impact on his career, and emphasized the importance of speaking out against racism in sports
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