Sounding the whistle on racism cut short my career - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

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

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

"I really wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations underway.

"That was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

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

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

"I've had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Some discrimination and other 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 personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

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

"We has placed significant attention on diversity and diversity 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 partners in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating inclusive cultures, 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 defend others from harmful behaviour.

"You should be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

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

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more open.

His charitable organization works to reach children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

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

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

"I grab the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

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