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

Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory comments and conduct

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

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 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 occurred," he told media outlets.

"I wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries going on.

"That was challenging - 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 claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough proof 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 win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has given considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

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

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, 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 father Geoff died shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the field with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing 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 talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."