Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This article includes details of racially offensive language and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" 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 elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told media outlets.

"I really wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

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

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

Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, 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 malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has placed significant attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.

"You 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.

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and keep carrying this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

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