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

Warning: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for 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 have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries underway.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

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

"The organization has given considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

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

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the field with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

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

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I take the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."