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Cavallo alleges homophobia led to exit from Adelaide United
Joshua Cavallo, the first openly gay male footballer in a top-tier league, has claimed he was marginalized by his former club due to internal homophobia. The allegations surfaced in an Instagram post on Tuesday, where Cavallo detailed his experience after coming out in 2021.
Background: A historic coming out
Cavallo made global headlines in 2021 when he publicly came out while playing for Adelaide United in Australia's A-League. At the time, the club supported his decision, but Cavallo's recent statements suggest a shift in dynamics afterward. He left the club in May 2025 and recently joined semi-professional English side Stamford AFC.
Claims of sidelining and mockery
In his post, Cavallo stated that he was benched not due to injuries, as widely believed, but because of homophobia within the club. He alleged that a change in management led to "politics" that kept him off the pitch, limiting his career opportunities. Additionally, Cavallo claimed that a photo of him and his partner was ridiculed in a team group chat.
"For the first time, I actually questioned if I should have kept my sexuality a secret," he wrote.
Club denies allegations
Adelaide United responded to Cavallo's claims with a statement, calling them "extremely disappointing" and categorically rejecting the allegations. The club emphasized that all team selection decisions were made "solely on footballing grounds."
"Adelaide United has always been committed to fostering an inclusive environment for players, staff, and supporters, and we remain proud of our ongoing work to promote inclusion across football."
Adelaide United spokesperson
Broader impact and legacy
Despite facing near-daily death threats after coming out, Cavallo has expressed no regrets about his decision, stating his only regret is not doing it sooner. His revelation in 2021 inspired other players, including Jake Daniels, who in 2022 became the first British professional male footballer to come out in over 30 years.
Adelaide United is set to participate in its fourth Pride Cup match this Saturday, an event aimed at promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion in football.
