Sounding the whistle on racism terminated my career - Luther Burrell

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

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

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

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

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

"I really wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's 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.

"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

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

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has given considerable attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on building welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film 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 done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

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

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the field with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

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