Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination terminated my career - Luther Burrell

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

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought 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 accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough proof 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 win 15 caps after his first game 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.

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

"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"We has given considerable focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

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

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.

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

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

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I grab the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged 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."