Blowing the whistle on racism ended my career - Burrell

Warning: This article contains details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby brought his career to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

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

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

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and understand that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

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

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

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become normalised 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 experienced and seen," 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 malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"The organization has placed considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

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

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

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."