Football’s first openly gay professional player, Josh Cavallo, has bravely revealed that he receives numerous death threats every day due to his sexuality. The Adelaide United midfielder, who came out at the age of 21, expressed his desire to live authentically and emphasized, “All I want to do is play football and be treated equally.”
Cavallo, 25, joined Adelaide United in 2021, after previous stints with Western United and Melbourne City, and announced his engagement to fiancé Leighton Morrell in 2024 at Adelaide United’s Copper Stadium.
In a candid discussion on FIFPRO’s Footballer’s Unfiltered podcast, Cavallo shared the distressing reality of the abuse he endures. “I still receive multiple death threats daily, and it’s quite saddening,” he stated. “The world of football can be a very toxic environment for openly gay players, and not everyone can handle it.”
He noted the ongoing challenges within the sport, saying, “We still have a long way to go in terms of acceptance. Many individuals contemplating coming out may hesitate due to the attention, pressure, and negativity it can bring, potentially impacting their game.”
Cavallo has previously spoken up about the vitriolic messages he has received online. Sharing some of the hurtful comments, which Daily Mail Australia chose not to publish, he remarked, “There is still a significant amount of work to be done to ensure that LGBTQ+ rights are respected.” He urged those who may feel triggered by such content to reach out to support networks.
“I share my journey on this platform to help others feel empowered and comfortable in their own skin,” Cavallo explained, expressing pride in the progress made by his football club and the LGBTQIA+ community but stressing the need for further efforts. “Even in 2023, this behavior can have far-reaching harmful effects. Two years after coming out, I still face reminders of how some people wish me dead.”
In his message to social media platforms, Cavallo urged them to “do better” in addressing hate speech. Yet, reflecting on his experience, he told the podcast that he wishes he had come out even sooner. “I was tired of hiding and wanted to live authentically. I often wondered why no one in football had come out as openly gay and been successful. Looking back, I understand the negativity that can come with it.”
