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

Important note: This piece contains details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in rugby union led his career to an premature end.

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

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

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

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

"This situation was challenging - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"Over a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine 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 called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has placed significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

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

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

"You should be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have done so well. 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 sibling died recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I grab the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."