Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature end.

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

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

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

"I wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations going on.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

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

Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.

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

"Over a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, 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 told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"We has placed considerable attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on building inclusive environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more open.

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the field with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and keep bearing this banner and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

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