Cavallo Accuses Adelaide United of Discrimination After Coming Out

Josh Cavallo garnered international attention in 2021 when he publicly came out as gay, receiving considerable support from the football community and establishing himself as a pioneer for LGBTQ+ representation in men’s sports. However, this narrative of acceptance has been challenged by Cavallo himself, who claims that his former club, Adelaide United, fostered a hostile atmosphere that ultimately drove him away from Australian top-flight football.

Currently playing in the lower leagues of English football with Stamford, Cavallo recently took to social media to express his thoughts on his departure from the A-League in May. His statement coincided with the upcoming celebration of Adelaide United’s annual ‘Pride Cup’ fixture against Melbourne Victory, an event aimed at promoting inclusivity.

In a candid Instagram post, Cavallo asserted that the limited playing time he experienced in his final two seasons was due to discrimination rather than performance or fitness issues.

“It’s taken me a while to digest how my time at Adelaide United ended, but I think the fans deserve honesty,” he wrote.

“Leaving the club had nothing to do with football. Decisions were made by people in power that blocked my opportunities, not because of my talent, but because of who I choose to love. Under the new management, it became clear that I wasn’t allowed on the pitch due to political reasons. It’s disheartening to realize that my own club exhibited homophobia. I was frustrated because many believed my sidelining stemmed from injuries, when in fact, it was internal homophobia keeping me on the bench. I remained professional, focused, and worked hard every day, which I take pride in. However, no matter how much I contributed or improved, my efforts were consistently overlooked, affecting my well-being as a professional footballer.”

Cavallo’s tenure at Adelaide saw considerable stagnation, with his last appearance for the club in February 2024. Contrary to public belief that injuries such as a hamstring strain and recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon were the reasons behind his absence, Cavallo insists that these were a mere facade. This experience led him to question whether revealing his sexuality had been a mistake.

“This was the very fear I had about coming out, witnessing prejudice negatively impact my career in contemporary society,” he noted. “For the first time, I actually considered whether I should have concealed my sexuality. I felt incredibly isolated and began to regret sharing my story. It felt as though things were regressing, both on the pitch and in what I believed to be a safe space. Discovering a group chat where teammates mocked a photo of me with my partner added to my distress.”

Since transferring to Stamford in England, Cavallo has found renewed purpose and appears to be rediscovering his passion for the sport.

“This fresh start in the UK has allowed me to breathe again, and I hope to fall back in love with the game that means everything to me,” he expressed. “Despite the way it concluded behind the scenes, I refuse to let it tarnish my bond with this city. Adelaide is where I found my wings. I thank the fans and supporters for their passion and support. You deserve honesty and success. You were incredible to play for.”

The severity of Cavallo’s allegations prompted a swift and strong response from Adelaide United. On Tuesday afternoon, the club issued a statement emphatically denying Cavallo’s claims. The management insisted that all decisions related to team selection were based solely on merit and tactical considerations, rejecting any implication that homophobia influenced their treatment of the player.

“The club is extremely disappointed by the claims made and categorically rejects the allegations, including any suggestion that Adelaide United is homophobic,” the statement read. “All on-field decisions regarding team selection are made based solely on footballing criteria.”

The club also reaffirmed its commitment to diversity, highlighting its history of supporting LGBTQ+ initiatives. “Adelaide United has always been dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment for players, staff, and supporters, and we remain proud of our ongoing efforts to promote inclusion across the football community,” they concluded.