Blowing the whistle on racism terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This article includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

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

Then 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 went on," he told reporters.

"I really wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations underway.

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

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

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

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

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"Over a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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 strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has placed considerable focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on building welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging conduct.

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

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

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

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