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

Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.

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

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I really wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries underway.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

"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 dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a extended period you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to 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 disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has placed considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.

"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

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

Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great 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 take the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are 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 transformed things for me."