Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination terminated my career - Burrell

Warning: This article contains details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose 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, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for 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 absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to reporters.

"I really hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

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

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

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

"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

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

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has given considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

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

"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," 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 finished your career, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister died recently.

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

His charitable organization aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on 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 others is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.

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

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