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

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

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages 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've have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.

"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations underway.

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

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

Burrell revealed to media he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

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

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

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has given significant focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect 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.

"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so much. 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 sister died earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the field with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing 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 speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

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