Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my career - Burrell

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

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

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

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

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations underway.

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

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"Over 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 incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has given significant focus 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 clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and ended 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 was raised on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I grab the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."