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

Warning: This article contains details of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

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

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.

"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations going on.

"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

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

Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

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

Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has given considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.

"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.

"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this banner and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."