Blowing the whistle on racism ended my career - Burrell

Warning: This article includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages 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 invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.

"I wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"During a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the norm 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 fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "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 professional game."

"We has given significant attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture 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 creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

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

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

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

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and keep bearing this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."