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

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory language and conduct

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

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

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

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.

"I really wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has placed considerable attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene 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 about his experiences.

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

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

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause 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 comfortable others will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."