🔗 Share this article

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

Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and abusive messages on online platforms.

“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” Cavallo states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm trying to get better as a player and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's appalling.”

Player Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.

This summer he left Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.

The 25-year-old combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to champion equality and inclusion.

“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer comments when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.

“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”

‘People want to harm me’

Several years passed for Cavallo to work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.

“My only desire is play football and be treated equally,” he said in an accompanying video.

Cavallo was twenty-one and building his reputation at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I didn't know what to expect,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on digital platforms.

“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.”

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

Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, writing on social media that “soccer culture is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United issued a statement backing their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.

Some people, however, were less welcoming.

Cavallo soon turned into a subject to homophobic abuse by rival supporters.

In January 2022 a competing team were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators directed at the player during a match.

“The things I'd hear were hurtful and derogatory towards my community,” 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 assaulted by an individual who identified him from the coverage.

“It was terrifying,” he remembers. “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.

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

Cavallo says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have affected his mental health.

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

“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.

“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, positive person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he witnesses much of what occurs privately.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped prompt 17-year-old Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in May 2022.

However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the Premier League.

“It would move mountains,” says Cavallo on the impact a elite athlete coming out would have.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”

Twenty-seven years after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in professional soccer.

“Simply attend to a match and see the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he says.

“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a safe space in soccer for people like myself and Jake.

“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as much as we would like.

“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and strive for eliminating the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

The player says soccer has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.

However, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

The 2034 tournament is scheduled in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.

“Do I approve that the global championship is in nations that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for merely living on their territory? It's scary,” says Cavallo.

“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.

“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for being who they are.

“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. These places that tend to target me.”

Despite this, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.

“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and inform individuals who seek understanding.

“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I have found my family. I have found my community.

“My purpose is to create change. That's what I'm here for.”