Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This article contains details of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

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

"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.

"I really wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"During a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"We has placed significant focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

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

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from harmful behaviour.

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away recently.

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

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

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

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

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

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."