Australian midfielder Josh Cavallo, who publicly came out as gay in 2021 and became a beacon for LGBTQ+ inclusion in professional football, has accused his former club, Adelaide United, of homophobia. cavallo alleges he was deliberately excluded from the team during the 2024/25 season following a change in club leadership, leading to his departure and a move to semi-professional English side Peterborough Sports. The allegations raise renewed questions about discrimination within the sport and come as Adelaide United vehemently denies the claims.
Adelaide United midfielder Josh Cavallo has revealed he left his Australian club following the end of last season due to alleged homophobia within the organization, and is currently playing semi-professionally for Peterborough Sports in England’s sixth tier. Cavallo did not feature in any matches for Adelaide during the 2024/25 season, appearing on the bench eight times without seeing any game action. His departure this past summer came as little surprise.
“My departure had nothing to do with football,” Cavallo wrote in an Instagram post. “After a change in club leadership, I wasn’t given an opportunity to prove myself – not because of my talent or ability, but because of who I love. It’s incredibly difficult to accept that my club was homophobic. Many people thought I wasn’t playing due to health issues. But the reality is I was left on the bench because of homophobia,” accompanied by a photo with his partner.
“That’s exactly why I was afraid to come out. I felt incredibly alone and, looking back, wondered if it was a mistake. Some teammates even talked about me in a group chat,” Cavallo added, praising the opportunity to restart his career with Peterborough. He has made four appearances for the club so far.
Adelaide United has responded to the allegations.
“We are incredibly disappointed and categorically reject any allegations that Adelaide United is homophobic. All decisions regarding player selection are made solely on footballing grounds,” the club stated, adding that it would not be commenting further at this time.
Cavallo publicly came out as gay in 2021, becoming the first openly gay active professional footballer. Former Czech Republic international Jakub Jankto followed suit two years later while playing for Sparta Prague, before retiring last summer due to ongoing health issues.
Adelaide United midfielder Josh Cavallo has accused his former club of homophobia, explaining his departure at the end of the 2024/25 season and his subsequent move to English semi-professional side Peterborough Sports.
Cavallo, who made history in 2021 as the first openly gay active professional footballer, revealed he was sidelined not due to performance or fitness, but because of his sexual orientation. “After a change in club leadership, I wasn’t given an opportunity to prove myself – not because of my talent or ability, but because of who I love,” Cavallo posted on Instagram, alongside a photo of himself with his partner.
The 25-year-old midfielder didn’t make a single appearance for Adelaide last season, spending all year on the bench. He now finds himself playing in England’s sixth tier, having featured in four matches for Peterborough Sports. “It’s incredibly difficult to accept that my club was homophobic,” Cavallo continued, adding that some teammates had even discussed him negatively in a group chat. His decision to come out, he admitted, was initially met with fear and uncertainty.
Adelaide United swiftly responded to the allegations, issuing a statement that read, “We are incredibly disappointed and categorically reject any allegations that Adelaide United is homophobic. All decisions regarding player selection are made solely on footballing grounds.” The club has declined to provide further comment at this time.
Cavallo’s story echoes that of Jakub Jankto, the former Czech Republic international who also came out publicly in 2023 while playing for Sparta Prague, before ultimately retiring due to health concerns. Cavallo’s willingness to speak out continues to push for greater inclusivity within the sport, and his experience highlights the challenges LGBTQ+ athletes still face.
