Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination terminated my career - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.

"I really hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations underway.

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and understand that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

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

Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

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

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

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

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

"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 incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has placed significant focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful conduct.

"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to 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 much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing 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 transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."