Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations going on.

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

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a extended period you just begin 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 finally spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has given considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the film, and his sibling passed away recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.

His charitable organization works to connect with children in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."