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

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory language and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an early end.

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.

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

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

"I hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"That was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has given considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sibling died recently.

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

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My intentions 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 cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I grab the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."