🔗 Share this article

“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.”

Since revealing he was gay in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and abusive messages on online platforms.

“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” Cavallo explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential during matches, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's disgusting.”

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

Recently 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.

The 25-year-old combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for 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,” Cavallo says when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.

“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 play football and receive fair treatment,” he said in an accompanying video.

The player was twenty-one and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.

“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on social media.

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

Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with the player, with then manager the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”

Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, writing on social media that “soccer culture is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club released a comment backing their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.

Others, however, were not so accepting.

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

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from spectators aimed toward the player during a game.

“The comments I encountered were hurtful and derogatory towards my community,” he says.

“I remained calm because I knew that would only feed the haters.”

There was a frightening incident at a petrol 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 - individuals intend to hurt me’.

“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.

“I hope that future individuals who comes out while playing football at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”

The player says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.

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

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

“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, positive person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he witnesses a lot that happens privately.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped prompt teenage Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to come out as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in May 2022.

However, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the Premier League.

“It would move mountains,” says Cavallo on the impact a elite athlete revealing their orientation would make.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”

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

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

“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a secure environment in football for people like myself and Jake.

“Progress has been limited (more players coming out) as frequently as desired.

“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and strive for taking out the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

Cavallo says football has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.

Yet, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.

The 2034 tournament will be held in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.

“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, 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 individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.

“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they reject the queer community. These places that tend to target me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.

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

“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.

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