Sounding the whistle on racism terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This article includes details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racism in professional rugby led his career to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

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

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

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

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

Burrell told journalists he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.

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

"During a period of time you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called 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 "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan 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 since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization 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 continuous effort."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.

"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.

"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and keep carrying this flag and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

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