Sounding the whistle on racism terminated my career - Burrell

Warning: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

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

"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

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

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 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 accepted 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 suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has given significant attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

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

"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.

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

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

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

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

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

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

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