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

Warning: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for 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 definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.

"I really wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations going on.

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

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut 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 inappropriate."

Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

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

"Over a period of time you just learn 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 spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has given considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," 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."

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging conduct.

"You should be so proud 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 finished your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

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

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 children in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

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

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."