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

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

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

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

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

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

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

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"We has placed considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from harmful behaviour.

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

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

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

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.

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

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

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

"I take the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."