Josh Cavallo Faces Death Threats Over Sexuality

Josh Cavallo, the first openly gay male professional footballer, has revealed that he receives daily death threats, highlighting the toxic environment faced by openly gay players in football. Since coming out in 2021, the Adelaide United midfielder has faced significant negativity and pressure, despite support from his club and coaches. Cavallo noted that the sport is still far from accepting gay players, and this deters others from coming out due to the attention and negativity it brings. Despite the challenges, Cavallo does not regret his decision to live authentically, even as he acknowledges the ongoing struggle with homophobic abuse both on the field and through social media. His experience underscores the need for greater acceptance and support within the football community for LGBTQ+ players. Cavallo's story has inspired others, although he cautions that coming out is accompanied by significant personal and professional challenges.