Blowing the whistle on racism ended my career - Burrell

Important note: This article contains details of racially offensive language and conduct

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

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

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

"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

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

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

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

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

"Over 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 spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"The organization has given significant focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.

His charitable organization works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My 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 persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and continue supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."