Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination ended my career - Burrell

Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in rugby union brought his career to an early end.

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

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

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

"I hoped to carry on competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.

"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

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

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

Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.

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

"Over a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out 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 implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has placed considerable focus on diversity 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 continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

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

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

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

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more open.

His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

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

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."