Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my career - Luther Burrell

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

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I really hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations underway.

"That was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

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

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

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

"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

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

"We has placed considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.

"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done 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 filming of the documentary, and his sibling died recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more open.

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I grab the bull by the horns and keep bearing this banner and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

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