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

Warning: This piece contains details of racially offensive language and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing 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 absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.

"I wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he said.

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

"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" 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 environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

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

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

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

"You 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.

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

Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sister passed away recently.

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

His charitable organization works to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

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

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."