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

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says 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 "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing 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 definitely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.

"I wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations underway.

"This situation was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"During a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called 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 revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has given significant attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

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

"You be so proud 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 finished your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

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

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and keep bearing this banner and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."