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

Warning: This article includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his career to an early end.

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

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.

"I really hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations going on.

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

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

"I have had several distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"During a period of time you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"The organization has placed considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

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

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging behaviour.

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

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

Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the production 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 open.

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the field with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their own stories as well.

"I take the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it did for me."