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

Warning: This article includes details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations underway.

"This situation was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and accept that this entire situation 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 collect enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"Over a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The governing body 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 elite level."

"We has placed significant attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

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

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, 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 died shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.

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

His charitable organization works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the field with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

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

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