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

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an early conclusion.

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

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries underway.

"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.

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

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

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has given significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful conduct.

"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the field with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I grab the bull by the horns and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."