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

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

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," 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.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

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

Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.

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

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

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "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 implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has given significant focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sibling died earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

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

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will become about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this flag and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."