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

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

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

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for 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've have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to reporters.

"I really wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and accept that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

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

Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

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

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

"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"We has placed significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the field with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

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

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

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

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