Sounding the whistle on racism terminated my career - Burrell

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early conclusion.

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

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

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

"I hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

"That was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

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

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

"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has given significant attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.

"You should be so proud of what you have done," 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 ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

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

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I grab the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and do 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 economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."