Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination ended my career - Burrell

Warning: This article contains details of racially offensive comments and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" 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 elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told media outlets.

"I hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to simply accept the fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

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

Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

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

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

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

"During a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has given significant focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

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

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."