Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.

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

"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

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

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

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."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 personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to 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 elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has placed considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

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

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

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

"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.

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

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.

His charitable organization works to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

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

"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and continue supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

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