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

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.

"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

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

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

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

"It's something that has been disguised as banter 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 begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has given considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

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

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful conduct.

"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.

"We know it has had this impact 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 family member."

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

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

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

"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this banner and continue supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

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