Sounding the whistle on racism terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This article contains details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.

"I wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"This situation was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as banter 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 begin to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

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 sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

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

"The organization has given significant focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.

"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.

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

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

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more open.

His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary 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 fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."