Gay Aussie Soccer Star Faces Daily Death Threats

Josh Cavallo isn’t just Australia’s first openly gay soccer player—he’s also a target. The Adelaide United midfielder, who made history in 2021 by coming out, now reveals that he faces daily death threats. And if you thought the beautiful game was making progress, think again.

“There’s multiple, multiple, multiple death threats that come my way daily still. And it’s quite sad to see,” Cavallo said on the FIFPRO podcast Footballers Unfiltered. “In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”

That’s the ugly truth. For all the rainbow laces, pride jerseys, and corporate hashtags, LGBTQ players still risk everything just by existing. Cavallo’s story isn’t just his own—it’s a warning to any other closeted athletes weighing the cost of coming out.

A Sport Still Stuck in the Closet

Cavallo’s honesty about his sexuality was met with overwhelming public support—but on the pitch, it’s a different story. He has endured relentless homophobic abuse from the stands, online trolls, and even within the sport itself.

“I still think we’re a very, very long way from being accepted in this space,” he said. “Coming out brings all this attention, brings all this pressure, brings all this negativity that will affect their game in the long run.”

The reality is, professional soccer remains a hostile environment for LGBTQ athletes. Unlike other major sports where players have taken that brave step—think Carl Nassib in the NFL or Jason Collins in the NBA—men’s soccer still has shockingly few out players. The locker room culture? It hasn’t changed fast enough.

The Price of Visibility

For Cavallo, the decision to come out at 21 was about reclaiming his own truth. “I was tired of being hidden and tired of having to go around and hide from people and not live my authentic self,” he admitted.

But that truth came at a price—constant threats, vicious taunts from fans, and the burden of being a trailblazer in a sport that still doesn’t know how to embrace LGBTQ players.

Still, he wouldn’t change his decision. With a strong support system behind him, Cavallo has learned to “put up a wall” against the hate. But should he have to?

Where’s the Accountability?

Cavallo’s story should serve as a wake-up call to FIFA, league officials, and every club claiming to support diversity. Rainbow kits and social media posts aren’t enough. Real action—stricter penalties for homophobic abuse, active inclusion programs, and genuine allyship from teammates—is what’s needed.

As for Cavallo, he’s not backing down. But for every LGBTQ athlete watching from the sidelines, his words are clear: soccer is still a dangerous place to be out. And that needs to change.