Sounding the whistle on racism cut short my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece contains details of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages 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 have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.

"I really hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to simply 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 stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

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

"I have 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 dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.

"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has given considerable attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

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

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating welcoming environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

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

"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

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

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more open.

His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the field with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I take the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

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