Pioneering Gay Footballer Josh Cavallo Accuses Former Club of Homophobia

Australian professional footballer Josh Cavallo, widely recognised as one of the most prominent openly gay male players in the sport, has publicly accused his former club, Adelaide United FC, of internal homophobia that he says contributed to the premature end of his tenure there.

Cavallo, 26, made the allegations in a detailed social media post reflecting on his experience at the club, where he spent the majority of his professional career before departing in May 2025.

In his statement, Cavallo said that decisions by club management under new leadership hindered his opportunities to play, not due to injury or performance, but because of prejudice related to his sexual orientation.

He described moments during his time at the club where he witnessed teammates mocking a photograph of him and his partner in private group messages, and said that being repeatedly overlooked for selection affected both his well-being and love of the game.

Cavallo stressed that he had remained professional and committed throughout, insisting that his exclusion from matchday squads “had nothing to do with football.”

Cavallo, who now plays in England for Stamford AFC (also reported elsewhere as Peterborough Sports FC), said that the experience at his former club made him question whether publicly committing to his identity was worth the personal and professional cost.

He has long been an advocate for greater LGBTQ+ representation and inclusivity in sport, having originally made history when he came out as gay in October 2021.

Adelaide United has strongly denied the allegations, issuing a statement expressing disappointment over Cavallo’s claims and categorically rejecting the suggestion that the club was homophobic.

The club reiterated that all on-field decisions were made based on footballing criteria and not the player’s personal life, and emphasised its stated commitment to inclusivity in football. The club has highlighted its ongoing support for LGBTQ+ initiatives, including participation in events like its annual Pride Cup.

Cavallo’s accusations have sparked significant discussion within the football community about the treatment of LGBTQ+ athletes in professional sport, reigniting debates around inclusivity, discrimination, and the barriers that openly gay players continue to face at the highest levels of competition.

Sources: Sky Sports, One News Page, The Pink News, The Guardian