Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my professional journey - Burrell

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

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

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

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

"I really wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations underway.

"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to 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 "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

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

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more open.

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

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

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