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

Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early end.

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

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to reporters.

"I really hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.

"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

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

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

"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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 diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging conduct.

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

"I 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 proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister died recently.

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

His charitable organization aims to reach children in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

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

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

"I take the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

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