Being Gay in Men's Football: A Toxic Environment

“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.”

After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant threats and abusive messages on social media.

“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” the player explains. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's appalling.”

Midfielder Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.

This summer he departed from Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.

This young athlete balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by speaking up on inclusion matters and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.

“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer comments when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.

“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”

‘People want to harm me’

Several years passed for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.

“My only desire is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he said in an accompanying video.

Cavallo was 21 and building his reputation at Adelaide United in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I didn't know what to expect,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on social media.

“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.”

Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for the player, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.”

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also expressed backing, posting online that “soccer culture is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United released a comment backing their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.

Some people, however, were less welcoming.

The footballer soon turned into a subject to homophobic abuse by opposition fans.

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators aimed toward the player during a match.

“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 petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the media attention.

“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.

“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.

“I hope that the next person who reveals their orientation while playing football at a high level won't face the journey I have endured.”

Cavallo says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.

“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I belong on the soccer pitch for my identity,” he states.

“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.

“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, his name, and he gets to see much of what occurs behind the scenes.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped prompt 17-year-old Blackpool forward another athlete to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in May 2022.

However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.

“It would create massive change,” says the footballer on the effect a Premier League player revealing their orientation would make.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about 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.

“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a safe space in football for people like myself and his colleague.

“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as much as we would like.

“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and strive for taking out the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

The player says soccer has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about coming out.

However, he is critical of Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.

Future World Cup is scheduled in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is also illegal.

“Do I approve that the World Cup is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for just existing on that land? It's scary,” says the athlete.

“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - is assistance possible?’.

“It breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated for being who they are.

“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

“Football has enabled dialogue in the locker room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who seek understanding.

“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.

“My mission is to drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”