Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racism in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.

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

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred 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 February 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.

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

"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has given considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

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

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.

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

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

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

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I grab the bull by the horns and keep bearing this flag and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."