Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination ended my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

"I really wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought 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 fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

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

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

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

"Over a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

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

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.

"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more accessible.

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the field with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."