Sounding the whistle on racism terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece contains details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in rugby union led his career to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I really hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries underway.

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

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

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

"I have had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become accepted in team environments, 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 witnessed," 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 explains he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"The organization has placed considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more open.

His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."