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

Warning: This piece includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.

"I really hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"This situation was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

"This is something that has been dressed up 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 believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"We has placed significant focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.

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

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

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

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

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

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