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

Important note: This article contains details of discriminatory comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations underway.

"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

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

Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

"I've had several distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

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

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

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

"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" 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 implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has given considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

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

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

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sister died recently.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I grab the bull by the horns and keep bearing this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."