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

Important note: This article contains details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

"I wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.

"That was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

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

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"We has given significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on creating welcoming environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.

"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

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

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

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

His charitable organization aims to reach children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the field with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

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

"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

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