🔗 Share this article

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

After announcing he was gay in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and abusive messages on online platforms.

“When I first saw these messages, 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 the sportsman was at Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

Recently he left Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.

This young athlete combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and inclusion.

“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer says when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.

“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

Several years passed for the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I'm gay” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.

“All I want to do is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he said 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 publicly came out.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on social media.

“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”

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 appreciate that he did it 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 issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

The footballer soon turned into a target of homophobic abuse by opposition fans.

In January 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at Cavallo during a match.

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

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

A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the coverage.

“It was terrifying,” he remembers. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - people want to harm me’.

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

“I hope that the next person who reveals their orientation while playing football 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 psychological well-being.

“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I deserve a place on the football field for my identity,” he states.

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

“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, positive person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he gets to see much of what occurs privately.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped inspire 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to come out as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in spring 2022.

Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the top English division.

“It would move mountains,” comments the footballer on the effect a Premier League player coming out would make.

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. In the world of football, 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, the current athlete has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that persists in men's football.

“Simply attend to a match and see the hostile environment and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he says.

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

“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 taking out the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

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

However, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.

Future World Cup is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.

“Do I approve that the World Cup is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for merely living on their territory? It's scary,” states Cavallo.

“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - 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. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

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

“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I have found my family. I've connected with similar people.

“My purpose is to drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”