Sounding the whistle on racism ended my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This article includes details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an premature conclusion.

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

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.

"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries underway.

"This situation was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.

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

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

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

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has given significant attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from harmful conduct.

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to share their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

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

"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."