Blowing the whistle on racism cut short my career - Burrell

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"During a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has given considerable focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

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

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.

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

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

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

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