Adelaide United midfielder Josh Cavallo, who made history in 2021 as the first openly gay male professional footballer in a top-flight league, has revealed that he continues to receive “multiple, multiple, multiple” death threats every day.
The 25-year-old Australian spoke candidly about the struggles he faces as an openly gay footballer, describing the sport as a “very toxic place” for those who come out. Despite his courage in sharing his truth, Cavallo admitted that doing so has brought “a mountain of downsides”, which he believes deters other players from following in his footsteps.
Cavallo: Football Is Still a Long Way from Acceptance
Speaking on FIFPRO’s Footballers Unfiltered podcast, Cavallo did not shy away from detailing the continued hostility he faces within the footballing world.
“There are multiple, multiple, multiple death threats that come my way daily still. And it’s quite sad to see,” he said.
Cavallo stressed that despite increased awareness, the sport remains largely unwelcoming to LGBTQ+ players.
“In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place. It’s something that not everyone would be able to handle and go through.”
While Cavallo’s coming-out moment was widely praised and seen as a significant step for inclusivity in football, he made it clear that the reality behind the scenes remains far from accepting.
“I still think we’re a very, very long way from being accepting in this space.”
Cavallo highlighted the pressures that LGBTQ+ footballers face, explaining that even those considering coming out might hesitate due to the attention, scrutiny, and negativity that follows.
“It’s difficult to say to people, ‘Absolutely, come out, be yourself’. But it also comes with a mountain of downsides as well that I don’t think people realise.”
Cavallo Still Has No Regrets About Coming Out
Despite the abuse and threats, Cavallo remains firm in his belief that coming out was the right decision for him. Reflecting on his journey, he expressed a desire that he had done it even sooner.
“I was tired of being hidden and tired of having to go around and hide from people and not live my authentic self,” he said.
Now engaged to his partner Leighton Morrell, whom he proposed to in 2024, Cavallo spoke about his frustration at the lack of representation in football before he came out.
“I would be like, why hasn’t this happened in football? Why has no one ever come out to be themselves and be successful and play?”
Looking back, he now understands the fear and negativity that deter others from making the same choice.
“I understand that now looking back, all the negativity, all the things that come your way.”
Inspiring Others: The Ripple Effect of Cavallo’s Journey
Cavallo made global headlines in October 2021, when he publicly announced that he was gay in a heartfelt social media video.
His courage paved the way for other footballers to take similar steps, including Jake Daniels, who became the UK’s first openly gay active male professional footballer when he came out in 2022 while playing for Blackpool. Daniels, now on loan at non-league Warrington Rylands 1906, credited Cavallo as an inspiration for his own decision to come out.
Another high-profile footballer to come out since Cavallo is Czech international Jakub Jankto, who made his announcement in February 2023. The 28-year-old midfielder, currently playing for Serie A club Cagliari, is one of the few openly gay footballers in Europe’s top leagues.
The Fight for Change Continues
While Cavallo’s bravery has helped open doors, his experiences highlight the persistent struggles faced by LGBTQ+ footballers. Death threats, online abuse, and a hostile footballing culture remain significant barriers to acceptance.
For now, Cavallo’s story serves as both an inspiration and a warning—a sign of progress, but also a reminder of the long road ahead in making football a truly inclusive space.
