Blowing the whistle on racism cut short my career - Luther Burrell

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

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I really wanted to carry on playing, of course 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 outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot more important 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 sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.

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

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

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

"During a extended period you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player 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 governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

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

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

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

"You should be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the production 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 open.

His charitable organization works to reach young people in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."