Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my career - Burrell

Important note: This article includes details of discriminatory language and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed 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 invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to reporters.

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

"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and accept that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"During a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"We has given considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.

"You should be so proud 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 ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

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

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight 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 others will become about sharing their own stories as well.

"I grab the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."