Josh Cavallo, Australia’s first openly gay football player, has revealed that he receives numerous death threats daily, making it challenging for him to encourage fellow athletes to come out in what he describes as a “toxic” sporting environment.
The Adelaide United midfielder publicly came out in 2021, and despite receiving strong support from his club and coaches, he has faced significant pressure and negativity since revealing his sexuality.
“Every day, I encounter multiple death threats. It’s truly disheartening,” he shared during an appearance on FIFPRO’s Footballers Unfiltered podcast.
“The realm of football can be an exceptionally toxic space for openly gay players. Not everyone is equipped to handle or navigate through such experiences.”
“It’s clear to me that we have a long way to go before we achieve genuine acceptance in this sphere.”
“These considerations weigh heavily on individuals contemplating coming out. They may not be out at present, but revealing their true selves brings attention, pressure, and negativity that can impact their performance over time.”
Cavallo has faced homophobic abuse from fans during matches and has been outspoken about this issue on social media.
“It’s challenging to confidently tell others, ‘Yes, come out and be yourself,'” he admitted.
“However, it also brings a host of complications that I don’t think people fully comprehend.”
He mentioned that having a supportive network has enabled him to “build a wall” to shield himself from such abuse.
Cavallo expressed regret over not coming out sooner than at the age of 21, as he felt he was living a lie during that time.
“I grew weary of concealing my true self and avoiding authenticity,” he reflected.
“I often wondered, why hasn’t anyone in football come out, embraced their identity, and achieved success on the field?
“Now, looking back, I understand all the negativity and challenges that accompany such a decision.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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