Sounding the whistle on racism cut short my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racism in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature end.

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

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I really wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations underway.

"That was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and accept 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 stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

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

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

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"We has placed considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

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

"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister passed away recently.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the field with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport 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 my own benefit," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

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