Soccer Star Josh Cavallo Reveals Daily Death Threats, Highlights “Toxic” Environment for Gay Players
Adelaide United midfielder Josh Cavallo, the first openly gay male soccer player in Australia, has revealed the severe repercussions of his decision to come out in 2021. Despite widespread support, Cavallo reports receiving multiple death threats daily and expresses concern about encouraging other players to come out due to the sport’s “toxic” environment.
Cavallo: Openly Gay in Soccer a “Toxic Place”
Cavallo, who came out in 2021 becoming the only top-flight player to do so at the time, shared his experiences on FIFPRO’s Footballers unfiltered podcast, stating that while his club and coaches have been supportive, his openness has brought immense pressure and negativity.
The Dark Side of Visibility: Death Threats and Pressure
“There’s multiple, multiple, multiple death threats that come my way daily still. And it’s quite sad to see,” Cavallo said.He emphasized the challenges faced by openly gay players, stating, “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.”
Acceptance Still a Long Way off
Cavallo believes the sport has a long way to go in terms of LGBTQ+ acceptance, adding that potential downsides must be considered. He fears the attention, pressure, and negativity will impact players’ performance in the long run.
Mixed Feelings on Encouraging Others
While advocating for authenticity, Cavallo acknowledges the difficult reality. “It’s difficult to say to people, ‘absolutely, come out, be yourself,'” he said. “But it also comes with a mountain of downsides as well that I don’t think people realize.” He credits a strong support network for helping him cope with the abuse.
Regrets and Understanding
Cavallo wishes he had come out earlier and expressed his weariness of hiding his true self. He now understands the negativity that comes with being a trailblazer. In February 2023, czech player Jakub Jankto came out, becoming the only active senior international men’s player to do so.
**Despite receiving widespread support after coming out,Josh Cavallo experiences daily death threats.What factors contribute to this hostile surroundings for openly gay athletes in soccer?**
Soccer Star Josh Cavallo Reveals Daily Death Threats, Highlights “Toxic” Environment for Gay players
Adelaide United midfielder Josh Cavallo, the first openly gay male soccer player in Australia, has revealed the severe repercussions of his decision to come out in 2021. Despite widespread support, Cavallo reports receiving multiple death threats daily and expresses concern about encouraging other players to come out due to the sport’s “toxic” environment.
Cavallo: Openly Gay in Soccer a “Toxic Place”
Cavallo, who came out in 2021 becoming the only top-flight player to do so at the time, shared his experiences on FIFPRO’s Footballers unfiltered podcast, stating that while his club and coaches have been supportive, his openness has brought immense pressure and negativity.
The Dark Side of Visibility: Death Threats and Pressure
“There’s multiple, multiple, multiple death threats that come my way daily still. And it’s quite sad to see,” Cavallo said.He emphasized the challenges faced by openly gay players, stating, “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.”
Acceptance Still a Long way off
Cavallo believes the sport has a long way to go in terms of LGBTQ+ acceptance, adding that potential downsides must be considered. He fears the attention, pressure, and negativity will impact players’ performance in the long run.
Mixed Feelings on Encouraging others
While advocating for authenticity, Cavallo acknowledges the arduous reality.”it’s difficult to say to people, ‘absolutely, come out, be yourself,'” he said. “But it also comes with a mountain of downsides as well that I don’t think people realize.” He credits a strong support network for helping him cope with the abuse.
Regrets and Understanding
Cavallo wishes he had come out earlier and expressed his weariness of hiding his true self.He now understands the negativity that comes with being a trailblazer. In February 2023, czech player Jakub jankto came out, becoming the only active senior international men’s player to do so.
Q&A: Josh Cavallo’s Story
Q: When did Josh Cavallo come out?
A: Cavallo publicly came out as gay in October 2021, making him the only openly gay male soccer player in a top-flight league at the time.
Q: What is the ”toxic” environment cavallo describes?
A: Cavallo refers to the negativity, intense pressure, and daily death threats he receives, stemming from homophobia within the sport and from its fans.
Q: Who is Jakub Jankto, and why is he mentioned?
A: Jakub Jankto is a Czech international soccer player who came out in February 2023. He is the only other active senior international male player to have come out publicly, highlighting the rarity of such openness.
Q: Does Cavallo regret coming out?
A: While he acknowledges the hardships, Cavallo wishes he had come out earlier, expressing a longing to live authentically.
Q: What support does Cavallo have?
A: Cavallo credits a strong personal support network, including his club and coaches, for helping him cope with the abuse and negativity he faces.
Interesting Trivia: Cavallo’s coming out was met with widespread support from the soccer community, including messages of solidarity from major clubs and players worldwide. However, the online abuse and threats demonstrate that acceptance remains a important challenge.
Actionable Advice: Support openly LGBTQ+ athletes and speak out against homophobic abuse. Create a positive and inclusive environment in sports, and encourage players and fans to report hate speech.
Josh Cavallo’s experience underscores the urgent need for greater acceptance and safety in soccer. Let’s work together to make the sport a truly inclusive space.
