sport news Luther Burrell's claims of racism in rugby are to be backed by RFU chiefs ... trends now

View
comments

Luther Burrell's claims of racism in rugby will be backed this week when the findings from an investigation into his revelations are published.

The eight-month RFU inquiry is understood to have upheld the former England centre’s allegations after almost 100 Newcastle Falcons employees, both former and present, were interviewed.

The investigation was sparked after Burrell told The Mail on Sunday that he heard appalling comments about slavery and skin colour before his retirement last summer.

Investigators are expected to support Burrell’s experiences of racism, including the use of a racial term in a WhatsApp group understood to be used by Newcastle players. A screenshot of a message in which a player was called a ‘negro’ was submitted to the inquiry.

In one of the other incidents, a black player was told he was the son of a homeless black man who had been spotted on a night out. However, Newcastle are understood not to be disciplining any players as none of the guilty parties has been identified. Burrell submitted his testimony to the inquiry but did not name anyone.