Trailblazing footballer Josh Cavallo reveals he receives multiple death threats each day

Four years after coming out, the Adelaide United star has revealed he’s still subjected to relentless homophobic abuse every day.

Adelaide United star Josh Cavallo has revealed he receives “multiple” death threats every day and says the football world is a “very toxic place” for an openly gay footballer.

Four years after he became the first male, top-flight professional footballer to come out, Cavallo, 25, said he would struggle to encourage other players to follow his lead.

“I still think we’re a very, very long way from acceptance in this space, unfortunately,” Cavallo told FIFPRO’s Footballers Unfiltered podcast.

“There’s multiple, multiple, multiple death threats that come my way daily still, and it’s quite sad to see.

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

“So it’s difficult to say and to say to people, absolutely come out, be yourself, you know, but it also comes with a mountain of downsides as well that I don’t think people realise.”

Josh Cavallo in Men’s Health magazine.

Cavallo has revealed he receives “multiple” death threats every day.

Cavallo also spoke about his United teammates “refusing to wear the pride jersey”.

In March last year, rising star Musa Toure apologised to the club after sharing an Instagram post where he criticised the club’s pride game.

“There’s times where teammates refuse to wear the pride jersey and it’s against their religious beliefs. And I accept that. I understand that,” Cavallo said.

“And I know that it’s not for everyone in this that, but it’s not a part of putting an identity on you guys. It’s just showing, you know, showing a rainbow is showing people that they’re OK and safe to be here. They’re OK to work in this space.”

The trailblazing midfielder received an outpouring of global support when he came out as gay in October 2021.

Cavallo proposes to partner Leighton Morrell in March 2024 at Coopers Stadium. Picture: Instagram

But in the years since, Cavallo has spoken about the daily homophobic abuse he’s been subjected to on social media and from fans in the stands.

In January 2022, Cavallo was targeted with homophobic slurs during a match with Melbourne Victory in Melbourne.

But Cavallo said he had no regrets and described coming out as gay as the “best decision he’s ever made”.

“It’s obviously moved mountains of people and influenced a lot of people and made so much progression within the game. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” he said.

“In terms of … the A league, I haven’t come across anyone on the field that uses it in a negative way.

“I have my good days, I have my bad days, but I’m free. I go to bed, I put my head on the pillow and I’m happy. I’m Josh Cavallo, I’m the footballer, I’m also the gay footballer. And I’m super proud to say that.”