Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination ended my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an early end.

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

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he told media outlets.

"I wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.

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

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

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During 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 fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"We has given considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

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

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

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

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

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

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.

His charitable organization works to connect with children in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will become about sharing their own stories as well.

"I take the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

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