Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my professional journey - Burrell

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

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing 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 have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

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

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

"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has given considerable attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the production of the documentary, and his sibling died recently.

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

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the field with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I take the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this flag and continue supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."