Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his career to an early end.

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

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I really hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

"That was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and accept that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

"I've had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some 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 dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has placed significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from harmful behaviour.

"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the field with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."