Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination terminated my career - Burrell

Warning: This piece contains details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an early end.

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

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

"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he told media outlets.

"I really hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

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

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.

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

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

"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" 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 elite level."

"The organization has given considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount 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 stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated 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 said to him as part of the film about his experiences.

"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away recently.

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved 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 sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I grab the bull by the horns and keep bearing this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."