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

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

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing 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 professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

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

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

"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

"I've had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen 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 introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has placed significant focus 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 experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.

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

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

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His charitable organization works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to share their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and keep bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."