Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This article contains details of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.

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

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

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I sought 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 process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient 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 first game in February 2014.

"I've had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's 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 heritage.

"Over a period of time you just begin to believe 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 go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"The organization has placed significant attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

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

"You be so proud 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 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 documentary, and his sister passed away recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.

His charitable organization aims to reach children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch 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 prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

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