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

Warning: This article contains details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, 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 professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I really hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations underway.

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

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

"I've had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.

"It's something that has been dressed up as banter 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 think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

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

"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved 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 film, and his sister died earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."