“There's still so much to accomplish” - the athlete on homophobia in football
“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant threats and hateful comments on social media.
“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” Cavallo states. “No-one wants to read things like that.
“I'm trying to get better as a player and reach my full potential during matches, and then get put down because of who I am. It's appalling.”
Midfielder Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.
This summer he departed from Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of English football.
The 25-year-old combines playing for the semi-professional team by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and inclusion.
“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo comments when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.
“Rarely a week passes without hearing about an issue.”
‘People want to harm me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
Several years passed for the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.
“My only desire is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he said in an accompanying video.
The player was twenty-one and making a name for himself at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I didn't know what to expect,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on social media.
“My mobile phone exploded with messages of support. The response was incredible.”
A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because now we talk again.”
Spanish player the athlete also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club released a comment supporting their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.
Some people, however, were not so accepting.
Cavallo quickly became a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.
In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a game.
“The things I'd hear were painful and derogatory towards my community,” he says.
“I didn't react because responding would encourage detractors.”
A scary event occurred at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the coverage.
“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.
“I hope that the next person who reveals their orientation while playing football at a high level doesn't have to experience the path I have endured.”
Cavallo says the daily death threats and hostile communications have affected his psychological well-being.
“It's quite sad because I must justify why I belong on the football field for my identity,” he says.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.
“Many individuals see me as a smiling, positive person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, his name, and he gets to see a lot that happens privately.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped prompt 17-year-old attacking player Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in May 2022.
However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.
“It would move mountains,” comments the footballer on the impact a Premier League player coming out would make.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. There are a lot of scary things that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”
Over two decades after a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that still exists in men's football.
“You just need to go to a match and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he says.
“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a secure environment in soccer for individuals like me and his colleague.
“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as much as we would like.
“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and strive for taking out the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘My mission is to drive progress’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from Flinders University in Adelaide in 2022, recognising his contributions as a inspirational figure in sport and a champion for equality
Cavallo says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.
However, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
The 2034 tournament is scheduled in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is also illegal.
“Am I impressed that the global championship is in nations that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for merely living on their territory? It's frightening,” states the athlete.
“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - can you help me?’.
“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for being who they are.
“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”
Nevertheless, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.
“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It lets me communicate and educate people who want to learn more.
“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.
“My purpose is to drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”
