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

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union led his career to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications 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 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 reporters.

"I really hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.

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

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

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

Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

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

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

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"We has placed significant attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.

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

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have done 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 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 open.

His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their own stories as well.

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

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