Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

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

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

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I really wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries underway.

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

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

"I've had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has given significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production 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 charitable organization works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to share their story then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

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

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this flag and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."