Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my career - Burrell

Warning: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject 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've have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

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

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

"I've had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

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

"We has placed considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

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