Josh Cavallo, first open gay football player, says he gets daily death threats

Josh Cavallo, who became the world’s first openly gay football player when He came out in October 2021says he gets “several” death threats daily.

The Australian, 25, which is a midfielder for Adelaide United, opened about his experience during the latest edition of FIFPro’s Football player unfiltered with Joe Hart Podcast.

“In the football world, a gay open player is a very toxic place. It’s something not everyone could handle and go through. I still think we are a very, very long way to (there) be acceptance in this space, unfortunately,” Cavallo said when he asked if players would be “more comfortable” with coming out now.

Cavallo, who emphasizes that he could only speak based on his experience, added that “coming out gives all this attention, gives all this pressure, gives all this negativity that will affect their play in the long term.”

It is something he has witnessed first hand.

“I walk in the field or I get hurt or something happens in my football, everything has to do with my sexuality,” he said.

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“There are several, several, several death threats that still come my way daily, and it’s pretty boring to see,” he said.

“It’s hard to say, and to say to people:“ Absolutely come out, be yourself. “But it also comes with a mountain with disadvantages that I don’t think people realize,” he added.

Cavallo, who announced his commitment to Leighton Morrell in March 2024But said he was “tired of being hidden and tired of having to walk around hiding for people and not living my authentic self” before he came out.

“And then I would be like why has it not happened in football? Why has no one ever come out to be themselves and be successful and play,” he said. “And I understand that now looks back, all the negativity, all the things that come on your way.”

While he notes that it can sometimes affect him because he has his “good days” and “bad days”, he has a “very strong support network” that helps to push him through.

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“I’m free. I’m going to bed, I’m putting my head on the pillow and I’m glad I’m Josh Cavallo. I’m the football player. I’m also the gay football player and I’m super proud to say it because I never knew what the ability and ability and range had by posting a video like it,” he said, “he said,” he said, “he said,” he said and referred to the moment.