Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination ended my career - Burrell

Important note: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed 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 have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

"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 descent.

"Over a extended period you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.

"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

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

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

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and keep bearing this banner and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."