Blowing the whistle on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This article contains details of discriminatory language and behaviour

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

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations going on.

"That was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

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

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

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed 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 professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has placed significant attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on creating inclusive environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.

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

"You be so proud of what you have done," 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 finished your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved 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 documentary, and his sibling died recently.

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

His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

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

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

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

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."