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

Warning: This article includes details of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

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

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

"I hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations going on.

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

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

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

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

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

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

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

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

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"We has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

His charitable organization works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will become about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

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