Luther Burrell claims speaking out about racist abuse ended rugby career

byNews Rugby October 13, 2025

Former England centre made allegations in 2022
Burrell ‘had to retire because of what’s gone on’

The former England rugby union player Luther Burrell has alleged that he was effectively forced to retire from the game after he spoke out about racist abuse he suffered from teammates.

Burrell, 37, first alleged that he had been the victim of racism while playing for the then Newcastle Falcons, now Newcastle Red Bulls, in 2022. Among the allegations he made at the time, Burrell claimed that a teammate at Newcastle had referred to him as a “slave” and told him to apply sunscreen to his wrists and ankles as that’s “where your shackles were”.