Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This article contains details of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

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

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations going on.

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

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

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

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

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

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

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

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

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has placed considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building welcoming environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from harmful behaviour.

"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told 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 eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the field with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I take the challenge by the horns and keep bearing 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 the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."