Footballer Josh Cavallo says he receives daily “death threats” since coming out as gay

Josh Cavallo has openly discussed the harassment he faces for being the first openly gay professional footballer.

In 2021, the Adelaide United player broke new ground for the LGBTQ+ community by coming out through a heartfelt open letter.

“It’s been a journey to get to this point in my life, but I couldn’t be happier with my decision to come out. I have been fighting my sexuality for six years now, and I’m glad I can put that to rest,” he wrote.

“Growing up, I always felt the need to hide myself because I was ashamed – ashamed I would never be able to do what I loved and be gay.

“Growing up being gay and playing football were just two worlds that hadn’t crossed paths before. I want to help change this.”

Cavallo’s groundbreaking declaration made him the world’s first openly gay male top-tier professional footballer.

Although his coaches, teammates, and the LGBTQ+ community and allies have shown support, he continues to endure abuse from online trolls.

According to ‘Gay Times’, during a recent episode of the FIFPRO’S Footballers Unfiltered podcast, Cavallo disclosed that he still receives “multiple, multiple, multiple death threats,” which he described as “quite sad to see.”

The 25-year-old expressed his view of the football world as a “very toxic place” that still needs significant progress to accept gay players fully.

“It’s something that not everyone would be able to handle and go through,” he continued.

“So these factors are the ones that people will consider in their coming out, and they might not be out now, but coming out brings all this attention, it brings all this pressure, brings all this negativity that will affect their game in the long run.

“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.”

Despite ongoing hostility from prejudiced fans and online trolls, Cavallo does not regret coming out, telling the podcast hosts he wished he had revealed his sexuality 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 continued.

“And then I would be like, ‘Why hasn’t this happened in football? Why hasn’t no one ever came out to be themselves and be successful and play?’ And I understand that now, looking back, all the negativity, all the things that come your way.”

Thankfully, Cavallo is not letting the negativity drag him down; he shared that his supportive network has helped him “put up a wall” to protect him from online abuse.

Check out Cavallo’s full interview here.