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

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory language and conduct

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

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications 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 three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.

"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

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

Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.

"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has placed considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from harmful conduct.

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

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

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

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

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

"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this flag and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."