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

Warning: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in professional rugby led his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I really hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

"I've had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

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

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

"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream 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 professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has given considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

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

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.

"You be so pleased 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 career, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died recently.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress 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 pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."