🔗 Share this article

“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”

After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and hateful comments on social media.

“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” Cavallo states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then get put down because of who I am. It's disgusting.”

Midfielder Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

This summer he departed from Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, one level below of the English soccer system.

This young athlete combines playing for the semi-professional team by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and inclusion.

“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer comments when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.

“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”

‘People want to harm me’

It took years for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.

“My only desire is play football and receive fair treatment,” he stated in an related clip.

Cavallo was 21 and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, 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 wanted to take the next step.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on social media.

“My phone was flooded with messages of support. It was overwhelming.”

A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with then manager the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because now we talk again.”

Spanish player Gerard Pique also offered support, posting online that “soccer culture is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

The footballer quickly became a target of anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at Cavallo during a match.

“The comments I encountered were hurtful and disparaging 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 petrol station in Australia, where the athlete was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the coverage.

“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.

“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.

“I hope that the next person who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have experienced.”

Cavallo says the daily death threats and abusive messages have taken a toll on his mental health.

“It's quite sad because I must justify why I deserve a place on the soccer pitch for my identity,” he says.

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

“A lot of people see me as a smiling, positive person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, his name, and he witnesses a lot that happens privately.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped prompt teenage Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in spring 2022.

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

“It would create massive change,” says Cavallo on the impact a elite athlete revealing their orientation would have.

“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”

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

“You just need to go to a match and see the hostile environment and masculinity that the audience creates,” he says.

“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a safe space in football for people like myself and his colleague.

“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.

“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and work towards taking out the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘I'm here to create change’

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

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

Future World Cup is scheduled in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.

“Do I approve that the global championship is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for just existing on that land? It's frightening,” states Cavallo.

“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 their true selves.

“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept the queer community. These places that often focus on me.”

Despite this, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.

“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It lets me communicate and educate people who want to learn more.

“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I have found my family. I have found my community.

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