Burrell’s blast sparks instant RFU reaction
RUGBY chiefs will launch an official investigation into Newcastle Falcons this week after Luther Burrell’s explosive claims of racism.
An independent review set up by Twickenham bosses will probe England centre Burrell’s damning recollection of “banter” involving bananas, fried chicken, slavery and casual use of the N-word.
Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney has held two meetings with Burrell (below) whose feedback will be incorporated into a broader, second inquiry to measure how rife the problem is within the sport.
Although he does not believe rugby is riddled with racist behaviour, England prop Ellis Genge said professional players found guilty of using unacceptable language should be named and shamed.
And Sweeney (above) promised the RFU was determined to “get our arms round” the issue.
Revealing the probe into Newcastle, he said: “It will be an RFU inquiry with an independent chair. It will be going on imminently, starting this week.
“It is very important and good for Luther to speak up. He came down here, we met him along with PRL (Premiership Rugby) and the RPA (Rugby Players Association) and I met him last week again.
“He’s been open and transparent.
“We’ve reached an agreement with Newcastle in terms of what we have to do in there and to hold an appropriate independent review of what has happened there.
“Then we are setting up a process with the RPA and with PRL to go out to the broader professional game to create the right setting for people to be able to feed back their views.
“Until you do that you don’t get your arms around the extent of the issue.
“Ellis said he didn’t feel racism is rife – but how do you define that?
“What’s the extent of the issue we need to address? Is it ignorant banter that may have been acceptable years ago but no longer is?
“Does that lead you down an education route? So we are in that stage now and Luther is involved in that second phase as well.”
Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent, joined Newcastle in 2020.