Being Gay in Professional Soccer: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere

“You shouldn't exist” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”

After announcing he was gay in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant threats and abusive messages on social media.

“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” Cavallo explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm trying to get better as a player and be the best I can be during matches, and then get put down because of who I am. It's disgusting.”

Player the sportsman was at Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

Recently he departed from Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, one level below of English football.

The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and inclusion.

“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo comments when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.

“I don't go more than a week without hearing about an issue.”

‘People want to harm me’

It took years for the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.

“My only desire is play football and receive fair treatment,” he said in an related clip.

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

“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on social media.

“My phone was flooded with messages of support. It was overwhelming.”

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

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also expressed backing, writing on social media that “soccer culture is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club issued a statement supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

The footballer quickly became a subject to homophobic abuse by opposition fans.

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from fans aimed toward Cavallo during a game.

“The comments I encountered were hurtful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

A scary event occurred at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the media attention.

“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - people want to harm me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.

“I hope that the next person who comes out while playing football at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have experienced.”

The player says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have taken a toll on his mental health.

“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I deserve a place on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he states.

“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.

“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, positive person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, his name, and he gets to see a lot that happens behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped inspire 17-year-old Blackpool forward another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in spring 2022.

Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the Premier League.

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

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in men's football.

“You just need to go to a game and see the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he explains.

“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a safe space in soccer for people like myself and his colleague.

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

“My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and strive for taking out the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

Cavallo says soccer has enabled discussions within team environments about coming out.

Yet, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

The 2034 tournament will be held in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is also illegal.

“Am I impressed that the global championship is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for merely living on that land? It's scary,” says Cavallo.

“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.

“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for their true selves.

“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they reject LGBTQ+ people. These places that tend to target me.”

Despite this, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It has allowed me to speak and inform individuals who seek understanding.

“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.

“My mission is to create change. That's my objective.”