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

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory language and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what went on," he told media outlets.

"I hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

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

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

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

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

"The organization has given considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on building welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away recently.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

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

"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will become about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I take the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."