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

Important note: This piece contains details of racially offensive language and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an premature conclusion.

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

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.

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

"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality 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 heritage.

"During a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"We has placed significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved 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 recently.

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

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

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

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