Openly Gay Soccer Player Still Faces Online Death Threats

The first openly gay man to play in Australia's domestic soccer league says he's still subject to death threats four years after going public about his sexuality.

Josh Cavallo , who plays for Adelaide United in the A-League, told the FIFPro Footballers Unfiltered podcast that "in a world of football, being a gay ... player is a very toxic place."

"I still think we're a very, very long way from being accepted in this space, unfortunately," he said.

Cavallo was 21 in 2021 when he decided to come out, acknowledging his video message "took the world of football for a shock." He still regards it as "the best move and decision" he's made, but warns that there's "mountains of downside."

In the podcast, he asked rhetorically: "Why has no one ever come out to be themselves and be successful and play?"