Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries going on.

"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

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

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

Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.

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

"Over a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

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

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has placed considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.

"You should 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.

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

Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more open.

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the field with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

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

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."