Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination ended my career - Burrell

Important note: This article contains details of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling 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 three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

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

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

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

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

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His charitable organization works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."