Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination terminated my career - Burrell

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

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing 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 have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.

"I really wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations underway.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has given considerable attention 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 class discrimination," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have achieved so much. 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 film, and his sister died recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more open.

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game 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 my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I grab the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."