Sounding the whistle on racism terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece includes details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

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

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" 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 guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.

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

"This situation was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists 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 England camp," he said.

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

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

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

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

Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"The organization has given significant attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from harmful behaviour.

"You should be so pleased of what you have done," 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 eyes, you have achieved so much. 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 sibling died recently.

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

His charitable organization aims to reach children in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

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

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this flag and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."