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

Important note: This piece includes details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

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

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I really hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

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

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually 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 arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

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

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

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

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

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

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

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more 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 carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."