Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my career - Burrell

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out 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 game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" 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 have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he told media outlets.

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

"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

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

Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become normalised in team environments, 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 witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "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 action plan for the elite level."

"The organization has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture 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 welcoming environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

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

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, continues 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 nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."