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

Important note: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed 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've have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

"I wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

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

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

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"We has given significant focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

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

All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating inclusive environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful behaviour.

"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died recently.

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with children in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the field with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I take the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

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