🔗 Share this article

“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.”

After announcing he was gay in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and abusive messages on online platforms.

“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” Cavallo states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm trying to get better as a player and be the best I can be during matches, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's disgusting.”

Player Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

This summer he left Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of the English soccer system.

This young athlete balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on social media - to promote fairness and acceptance.

“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo says when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.

“I don't go more than a week without hearing about an issue.”

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

It took years for Cavallo to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.

“My only desire is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he said in an accompanying video.

The player was 21 and building his reputation at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”

His emotional coming out video, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.

“My phone was flooded with messages of support. The response was incredible.”

Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he did it because now we talk again.”

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also expressed backing, writing on social media that “soccer culture is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.

Others, however, were not so accepting.

Cavallo soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.

In January 2022 a competing team were fined five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a game.

“The things I'd hear were painful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.

“I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.”

There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the media attention.

“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.

“My wish is that the next person who comes out while competing in soccer at a high level doesn't have to experience the path I have endured.”

Cavallo says the daily death threats and abusive messages have affected his mental health.

“It's quite sad because I must justify why I deserve a place on the football field for being who I am,” he states.

“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.

“Many individuals see me as a smiling, optimistic person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he witnesses a lot that happens privately.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped prompt 17-year-old Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to come out as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in spring 2022.

However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.

“It would create massive change,” comments the footballer on the effect a elite athlete revealing their orientation would have.

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in professional soccer.

“Simply attend to a game and observe the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he explains.

“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a secure environment in soccer for individuals like me and Jake.

“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.

“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and work towards taking out the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘I'm here to create change’

The player says football has enabled discussions within team environments about revealing one's orientation.

Yet, he is critical of Fifa, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.

The 2034 tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is also illegal.

“Do I approve that the World Cup is in countries that ban gay unions, where people like me will be imprisoned for merely living on that land? It's scary,” says the athlete.

“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - can you help me?’.

“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for being who they are.

“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they reject the queer community. These places that tend to target me.”

Despite this, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

“Football has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who seek understanding.

“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I have found my family. I've connected with similar people.

“My mission is to create change. That's my objective.”