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

Important note: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.

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

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

"I really wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries underway.

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

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

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."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 problem that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out 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 revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has placed significant focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

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

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

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

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

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."