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“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.”

After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and hateful comments on online platforms.

“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” the player explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm trying to get better as a player and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's appalling.”

Player Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

This summer he departed from Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.

This young athlete combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on social media - to promote fairness and inclusion.

“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer comments when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.

“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”

‘People want to harm me’

Several years passed for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.

“All I want to do is play football and be treated equally,” he said in an related clip.

The player was 21 and building his reputation at Adelaide United in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly.

“The future was uncertain. I didn't know what to expect,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”

His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on social media.

“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.”

Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for the player, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”

Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, posting online that “soccer culture is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were less welcoming.

Cavallo quickly became a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.

During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward the player during a game.

“The comments I encountered were painful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the media attention.

“It was terrifying,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.

“I hope that future individuals who comes out while competing in soccer at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”

The player says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have taken a toll on his mental health.

“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I belong on the soccer pitch for my identity,” he says.

“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.

“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he witnesses a lot that happens behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped prompt teenage Blackpool forward another athlete to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in May 2022.

However, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the top English division.

“It would create massive change,” says Cavallo on the impact a elite athlete revealing their orientation would have.

“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in men's football.

“Simply attend to a game and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he explains.

“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a safe space in soccer for individuals like me and his colleague.

“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.

“My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and work towards taking out the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

The player says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about coming out.

Yet, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

The 2034 tournament is scheduled in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.

“Do I approve that the global championship is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for just existing on that land? It's scary,” says the athlete.

“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - is assistance possible?’.

“It's devastating that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.

“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. These places that often focus on me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who want to learn more.

“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.

“My purpose is to drive progress. That's my objective.”