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

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racism in rugby union led his career to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing 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 have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.

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

"This situation was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.

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

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

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

"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has placed significant focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

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

"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

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

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."