Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This article includes details of racially offensive language and conduct

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

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

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

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he told reporters.

"I hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries underway.

"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"During a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

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

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

"The organization has given significant focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.

"You should 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 finished your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

His charitable organization works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

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

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."