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

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

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing 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 end my career because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.

"I really wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

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

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

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

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."

"The organization has placed significant attention on inclusion 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 class discrimination," 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 requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on building welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from harmful conduct.

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister passed away recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.

His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."