Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination terminated my career - Burrell

Important note: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject 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 have definitely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.

"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.

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

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

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

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

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

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

"This is 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.

"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority 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 professional game."

"The organization has placed significant focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

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

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

"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the film, and his sibling died earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more open.

His charitable organization works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."