Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racism in rugby union led his professional journey to an early conclusion.

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

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

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

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

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"Over a period of time you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given considerable focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging conduct.

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

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

Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling died recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.

His charitable organization works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

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

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I take the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."