In a powerful and emotional social media post, professional footballer Josh Cavallo has made serious allegations of homophobia within Adelaide United, claiming it directly led to his departure from the A-League Men club earlier this year.
Allegations of Blocked Opportunities
Cavallo, who made history in 2021 as the world's first openly gay active male professional footballer with Adelaide's public support, left the club in May for a move to lower-tier English club Stamford. While limited game time in his final two seasons was publicly noted, Cavallo now states the real reasons were far more sinister.
The 26-year-old did not feature at all last season and was an unused substitute on eight occasions under coach Carl Veart. His final appearance for the Reds was in February 2024, having played just four games in the 2023-24 campaign amid recoveries from an Achilles tendon rupture and a hamstring strain.
However, in a damning Instagram post released on Tuesday morning, Cavallo asserted that his lack of opportunities was not due to fitness or talent. "Decisions were made by people in power that blocked my opportunities, not because of my talent, but because of who I choose to love," he wrote.
A Culture of Mockery and Isolation
Cavallo detailed a toxic environment that left him questioning his decision to come out publicly. He alleged that teammates mocked a picture of him and his partner in a group chat, which compounded his feelings of isolation.
"It's hard to swallow when I realised my own club was homophobic," Cavallo stated. "I was angry because people thought I was sidelined based on injuries, when in reality, it was internal homophobia that kept me on the bench."
He described working hard professionally every day, only to have his contributions continuously ignored, which severely affected his wellbeing. The experience, he said, forced him to confront the very fears he had about coming out in the first place.
Moving Forward After a Painful Exit
The timing of Cavallo's revelations is particularly striking, coming just three days before Adelaide United's scheduled Pride Cup match against Melbourne Victory. The post has sent shockwaves through the Australian sporting community.
Cavallo expressed that his fresh start in the United Kingdom has allowed him to "breathe again" and he hopes to rediscover his love for the sport. Despite the painful end to his tenure, he maintains a connection to the city of Adelaide, calling it the place where he "found my wings."
Adelaide United has been contacted for comment regarding the allegations. The club's response, and the reaction from the wider football community, is now keenly awaited.
