Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination terminated my career - Burrell

Warning: This article contains details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject 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 explained to media outlets.

"I really hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries going on.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

"Certain instances of 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 disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has given considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.

"You should be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film 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 proud of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

His charitable organization works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the field with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight 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 more I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I take the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."