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

Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.

"I really wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

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

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

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

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

"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a period of time you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations 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 focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from harmful behaviour.

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

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

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

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

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and keep bearing this banner and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."