Football’s first openly-gay player reveals he ‘receives multiple death threats each day’ but wishes he came out sooner despite shocking abuse

Football’s first openly-gay professional footballer has spoken out on the shocking abuse he receives, revealing that he receives death threats on a daily basis.

Adelaide United midfielder Josh Cavallo has previously spoken out on the abuse he has received after he became the first only-known current professional footballer in the world to come out as gay in 2021.

Cavallo was 21 when he came out. In a video published on Adelaide United’s social media channels, he revealed that he no longer wanted to live a double life, adding: ‘All I want to do is play football and be treated equally.’

The 25-year-old left-sided midfielder, who joined Adelaide United in 2021 following stints with Western United and Melbourne City, would in 2024 announce that he was engaged to fiancé Leighton Morrell after popping the question at Adelaide Untied’s Copper Stadium.

But speaking on FIFPRO’s Footballer’s Unfiltered podcast, Cavallo opened up on some of the sickening abuse he had received.

‘There’s multiple, multiple, multiple death threats that come my way daily still. And it’s quite sad to see,’ he said.

Cavallo came out as gay in 2021, stating he no longer wanted to live a double life, adding: ‘All I want to do is play football and be treated equally’

‘In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place. It’s something that not everyone would be able to handle and go through.

‘I still think we’re a very, very long way from being accepted in this space.

‘So, these are factors that people will consider in their coming out and they might not be out now, but coming out brings all this attention, it brings all this pressure, brings all this negativity that will affect their game in the long run.

‘It’s difficult to say to people, “Absolutely, come out, be yourself”.

‘But it also comes with a mountain of downsides as well that I don’t think people realise.’

It is not the first time he has spoken out against some of the shocking abuse he has received, with the Australian football star previously lifting the lid on some of the vitriolic comments he has received from social media users.

Alongside a series of offensive comments posts that Daily Mail Australia has chosen not to repeat in writing, Cavallo said: ‘There is a huge amount of work left’ to do in order to ensure LGBTQ+ rights are respected.

‘I apologise in advance for the next slide ahead,’ he began. ‘Please read with caution and contact any lifeline or support network if you may feel triggered in any way.

The Adelaide United star announced in 2024 that he was engaged to his partner, Leighton

Cavallo also announced his decision back in 2021 on Instagram, stating that it ‘had been a journey to get to this point in my life’

He told the FIFPRO Footballer’s Unfiltered podcast that despite the abuse he had received he wished he had come out sooner

Back in 2023, Cavallo had highlighted some of the abusive comments he had received from social media users on Instagram 

‘I share my life via this social media platform to help individuals grow around the world. 

‘To feel empowered in their own skin. To be comfortable with the person they wish to be.

‘I’m hand on heart so proud of how much my football club and the LGBTQIA+ community have grown in the world of football but we have to remember there is still a huge amount of work left.

‘We are in 2023 and this behaviour can be more harmful than you think.

‘Two years on from my coming out journey and I go through my everyday life being reminded how people wish me dead.

‘To all you social media platforms, all I have to say to you is do better.’

But Cavallo admitted to FIFPRO’s Footballer’s Unfiltered podcast that even after the abuse, he wished had had come out earlier.

‘I was tired of being hidden and tired of having to go around and hide from people and not live my authentic self,’ he told the podcast.

‘And then I would be like why hasn’t this happened in football? Why hasn’t no one ever come out to be themselves and be successful and play?

‘And I understand that now looking back, all the negativity, all the things that come your way.’

Cavallo’s decision to announce he was gay had also inspired other players to come out, including Blackpool’s Jake Daniels.

If you or anyone around you is in need of assistance, call Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14.