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

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an early end.

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

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

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

"I really wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

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

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

Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has given considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging conduct.

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

"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sister died recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and continue 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 children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."