Sounding the whistle on racism terminated my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling 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 a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations underway.

"That was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

"I've had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's 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.

"During a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

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

"We has given significant attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

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

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

"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.

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

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

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

His charitable organization works to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

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

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their own stories as well.

"I take the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

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