Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory language and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his career to an premature conclusion.

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

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he told reporters.

"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations going on.

"That was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"The organization has given considerable focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

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

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating welcoming environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.

"You should 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 finished your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

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

"I need to take the bull by the horns and keep bearing this flag and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."