The first openly homosexual professional football player of football has talked about the shocking abuse he receives, revealing that he receives death threats daily.
The Adelaide United midfielder, Josh Cavallo, has previously talked about the abuse he received after he became the first current professional footballer only known in the world to leave as Gay in 2021.
Cavallo was 21 when he left. In a video posted in the social networks of Adelaide United, he revealed that he no longer wanted to live a double life, and added: “All I want to do is play football and be treated equally.”
The midfielder on the left side of 25 years, who joined Adelaide United in 2021 after seasons with Western United and Melbourne City, in 2024 would announce that he was committed to the fiance Leighton Morrell after asking the question at the Adelaide Untied Copper stadium.
But speaking in Podcast without FIFPRO footballer filterCavallo opened some of the disgusting abuses he had received.
'There are multiple, multiple, multiple death threats that occur to me daily. And it's quite sad to see, 'he said.
Adelaide United footballer, Josh Cavallo, has revealed that he receives 'multiple death threats every day'
Cavallo came out as gay in 2021, stating that he no longer wanted to live a double life, and added: “All I want to do is play football and be treated equally”
'In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place. It is something that not everyone could handle and pass.
'I still think we are a very, very long way to be accepted in this space.
'Then, these are factors that people will consider at their way out and may not be out now, but going out attracts all this attention, brings all this pressure, brings all this negativity that will affect their long -term game.
“It's hard to tell people:” Absolutely, salt, be yourself. “
“But it also comes with a mountain of disadvantages that I don't think people realize.”
It is not the first time that he speaks against some of the shocking abuses he has received, with the Australian soccer star that previously lifted the lid in some of the vitriolic comments he has received from the users of social networks.
Together with a series of publications of offensive comments that Daily Mail Australia has chosen not to repeat in writing, Cavallo said: “There is a lot of work” to ensure that LGBTQ+rights are respected.
“I apologize beforehand by the next fall ahead,” he began. 'Read with caution and communicate with any life or support network if you can feel activated in some way.
The Adelaide United star announced in 2024 that he was committed to his partner, Leighton
Cavallo also announced his decision in 2021 on Instagram, stating that “it had been a trip to reach this point in my life”
He told the FIFPRO footballer's podcast without filter that despite the abuse he had received, he wanted to have come out before
In 2023, Cavallo had highlighted some of the abusive comments he had received from users of social networks on Instagram
'I share my life through this social media platform to help people grow worldwide.
'Feeling empowered in your own skin. To feel comfortable with the person they want to be.
'I am very proud of how much my football club and the LGBTQIA+ community have grown up in the world of football, but we have to remember that there is still a lot of work.
'We are in 2023 and this behavior can be more harmful than you think.
'Two years after my presentation and passage through my daily life remembering how people want me dead.
“For all social networks platforms, everything I have to tell you is better.”
But Cavallo admitted the Fifpro footballer's podcast without filter that even after abuse, he wanted to have left before.
“I was tired of being hidden and tired of having to go and hide from people and not live my real me,” he told the podcast.
'And then it would be like why has this happened in football? Why has no one out to be themselves and be successful and play?
“And I understand that now looks back, all the negativity, all the things you can think of.”
Cavallo's decision to announce that it was Gay had also inspired other players to leave, including Jake Daniels from Blackpool.
If you or someone around you need help, call Lifeline Australia at 13 11 14.