Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he told reporters.

"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations going on.

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

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has placed considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

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

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more open.

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I take the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."