Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination ended my career - Burrell

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

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling 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 invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.

"I really wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

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

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures 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 placed considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

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

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, 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 passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling died recently.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the field with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will become about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."