Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

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

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

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

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

"I have had several distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

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

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

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

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

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "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 introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"The organization has given considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on creating inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from harmful behaviour.

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

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

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

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."