“We've got mountains to do” - the athlete on homophobia in football
“You shouldn't exist” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and hateful comments on social media.
“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” Cavallo explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's appalling.”
Player the sportsman was at Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.
Recently he departed from Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of English football.
This young athlete combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on social media - to promote fairness and inclusion.
“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo says when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.
“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
Josh Cavallo grew up in Melbourne
It took years for the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.
“All I want to do is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he said in an accompanying video.
The player was twenty-one and building his reputation at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.
“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”
Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for the player, with then manager the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”
Barcelona defender the athlete also offered support, posting online that “the world of football is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were less welcoming.
Cavallo quickly became a target of homophobic abuse by opposition fans.
In January 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at the player during a game.
“The things I'd hear were painful and disparaging towards my community,” he says.
“I didn't react because responding would encourage detractors.”
A scary event occurred at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the media attention.
“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - people want to harm me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.
“My wish is that the next person who comes out while playing football at a professional standard won't face the path I have endured.”
Cavallo says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have taken a toll on his mental health.
“It's disappointing because I must justify why I deserve a place on the football field for my identity,” he says.
“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.
“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he witnesses a lot that happens behind the scenes.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped inspire 17-year-old Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in spring 2022.
Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the Premier League.
“It would create massive change,” says Cavallo on the effect a elite athlete coming out would have.
“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”
Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in men's football.
“Simply attend to a game and see the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he says.
“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a secure environment in football for individuals like me and his colleague.
“Progress has been limited (more players coming out) as much as we would like.
“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and work towards taking out the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”
‘I'm here to create change’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from Flinders University in his former city in 2022, honoring his efforts as a role model in sport and a champion for equality
The player says soccer has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.
Yet, he is critical of Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.
Future World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.
“Am I impressed that the global championship is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for merely living on that land? It's frightening,” says the athlete.
“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.
“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for their true selves.
“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”
Despite this, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.
“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who want to learn more.
“Not everyone is going to like you for your identity. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.
“My mission is to drive progress. That's my objective.”
