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

Important note: This piece includes details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, 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 explained to reporters.

"I hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations going on.

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

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

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

"I have had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a extended period 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 says he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"The organization has given significant attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture 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 building inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

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

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the filming of the film, and his sister passed away recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more open.

His charitable organization works to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My motivations are genuine, 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 fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

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

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."