Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination ended my career - Burrell

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I really hoped to carry on competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

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

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

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

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

"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate 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 revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"The organization has placed significant attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.

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

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

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

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.

His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

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

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."