Sounding the whistle on racism ended my career - Luther Burrell

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

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

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

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I hoped to carry on playing, 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 simply accept the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

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

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

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

Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to 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 revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has placed considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed 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 elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

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

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

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this banner and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

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