Sounding the whistle on racism terminated my career - Burrell

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in rugby union led his career to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing 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 three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.

"I wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

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

"Certain instances of 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 disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a extended period you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"The organization has given significant focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.

"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

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

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to share their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I take the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this banner and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are 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 lives, just as it did for me."