Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece contains details of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" 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 a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I really hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"That was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

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

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

"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.

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

Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

"It's 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 believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has given considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.

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

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away recently.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the field with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

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

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this flag and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."