Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing 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 retire because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

"I really wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

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

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

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

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

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

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

"Over a period of time you just learn 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 finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" 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 "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given considerable attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend 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 film about his experiences.

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sibling died recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more open.

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

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

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

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and continue carrying this flag and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

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