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

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his career to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

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

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

"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."

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

Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

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

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

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

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

"During 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 fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has placed significant focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.

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

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

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