Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination terminated my career - Burrell

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early conclusion.

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

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to reporters.

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

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

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

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

"Over a period of time you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has placed considerable focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.

"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

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

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister passed away recently.

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

His charitable organization aims to reach children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

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

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident others will become about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

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