{"id":33559,"date":"2023-04-05T05:29:04","date_gmt":"2023-04-05T05:29:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fusefornews.com\/2023\/04\/05\/luther-burrell-ex-england-centre-has-closure-after-rfu-investigation-finds-racism-claims-were-true\/"},"modified":"2023-04-05T05:29:04","modified_gmt":"2023-04-05T05:29:04","slug":"luther-burrell-ex-england-centre-has-closure-after-rfu-investigation-finds-racism-claims-were-true","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fusefornews.com\/?p=33559","title":{"rendered":"Luther Burrell: Ex-England centre has ‘closure’ after RFU investigation finds racism claims were true"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Former England centre Luther Burrell says he is “proud” and has “a sense of closure” after a Rugby Football Union investigation found his claims of racism in the sport were true. <\/span><\/p>\n

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The governing body says his revelations have prompted it to fast-track publication of a new strategy to promote inclusion in the elite game.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The RFU has also published the findings of research which found that “in every area of elite rugby, players had experienced some form of racism”.<\/span><\/p>\n

Last year the governing body looked into Burrell’s allegations, taking over an inquiry launched by Newcastle Falcons – his final club.<\/span><\/p>\n

The RFU says the report – published on Tuesday and in which no individuals are named – concludes his claims were true “on balance of probability” and that his evidence was “reliable”.<\/span><\/p>\n

It says there is “insufficient evidence” to say all the abuse happened at Newcastle, apart from a player’s WhatsApp message “which contained a racist comment”. <\/span><\/p>\n

But Burrell – who has not identified those involved – was also found to have suffered two further incidents of verbal racist abuse. <\/span><\/p>\n

Newcastle <\/span>have said<\/span><\/a> these incidents were on a night out and on an away fixture, and that it had no access to the WhatsApp group. The club said the incidents “are more likely to have happened during his time with Newcastle Falcons than not”, but it was not made aware of them when they occurred. <\/span><\/p>\n

The investigation report says: “The abuse was hurtful, undermined [Burrell’s] dignity, and clearly had an adverse effect on him. His motivation for making the allegations now was his wish to eradicate such racist behaviour from rugby union.”<\/span><\/p>\n

It says it was “concerned over the lack of training” at Newcastle on equality, diversity and inclusion policies. <\/span><\/p>\n

Speaking in his first interview since the investigation concluded this week, Burrell told BBC Sport: “Does it provide me with a sense of closure? I believe so, yes. <\/span><\/p>\n

“It’s been a tough eight to 10 months. I was disappointed initially by the lack of support shown from some of my peers. <\/span><\/p>\n

“It was as if my comments were being dismissed. It was almost like people needed proof, and now this has come out people will understand that what I was saying has been deemed to be the truth. And we can all hopefully move on and generate change. I’m proud of what I’ve done, and I’m proud of the support that I’ve had.”<\/span><\/p>\n

‘Abhorrent’<\/h3>\n

Burrell, 35, who is of Jamaican descent, spoke out in June 2022 about his experiences, saying racist “banter” had become “normalised” among team-mates and that <\/span>racism was “rife” in the sport.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

“To call anybody a slave is not funny, so it was abhorrent behaviour. It was something that affects my dignity as a player, it affects me as a human as a father,” he said after being presented with the findings of the investigation. <\/span><\/p>\n

The report said the RFU should consider launching a further disciplinary inquiry, but in a statement the governing body said it had chosen not to and “instead will continue to work with the club” to improve training and whistleblowing processes. <\/span><\/p>\n

When asked why he had not identified those responsible for what he called “abhorrent” abuse, Burrell said: “This has not been a witch hunt. <\/span><\/p>\n

“It’s not about retribution. This is about me finally having my voice heard. I’ve always said that this has ultimately not been about me, this has been about generational change within the sport.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“I hope that they feel a sense of embarrassment that they publicly said that to me in a working space. However, this is not about me victimising them, because they have livelihoods, they have families.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Do I hold hate or judgement for the persecutors? Not really no, because this racial ‘banter’ is complex.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I have children and friends with children who love rugby, and I cannot be having them exposed to these micro-aggressions and perceived banter\u2026 and I hope from here on this will be removed from the professional environment and the grassroots.”<\/span><\/p>\n

‘Brutal banter’<\/h3>\n

The investigation interviewed 93 current and former employees of the club who were at Kingston Park during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons when Burrell played for Newcastle. <\/span><\/p>\n

The report also concluded: <\/span><\/p>\n