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“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”

After announcing he was gay in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and hateful comments on social media.

“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” Cavallo explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential during matches, and then get put down due to my identity. It's appalling.”

Midfielder the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

This summer he left Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.

The 25-year-old combines playing for the semi-professional team by speaking up on inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to champion equality and inclusion.

“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer comments when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.

“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”

‘People want to harm me’

Several years passed for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.

“All I want to do is play football and receive fair treatment,” he said in an related clip.

The player was 21 and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on social media.

“My phone was flooded with messages of support. It was overwhelming.”

Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for the player, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he did it because now we talk again.”

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also expressed backing, posting online that “soccer culture is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club released a comment backing their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

Cavallo quickly became a target of homophobic abuse by rival supporters.

During early 2022 a competing team were penalized five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from fans aimed toward the player during a game.

“The comments I encountered were hurtful and disparaging towards my community,” he says.

“I remained calm because I knew that would only feed the haters.”

There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the coverage.

“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.

“I hope that future individuals who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have experienced.”

Cavallo says the daily death threats and hostile communications have affected his psychological well-being.

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

“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.

“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, positive person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he gets to see much of what occurs behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped prompt 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to come out as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in spring 2022.

Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the Premier League.

“It would create massive change,” says Cavallo on the impact a elite athlete coming out would make.

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”

Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in professional soccer.

“You just need to go to a match and see the hostile environment and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he explains.

“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a safe space in football for people like myself and Jake.

“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.

“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and strive for taking out the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

The player says football has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about revealing one's orientation.

Yet, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.

The 2034 tournament will be held in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.

“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for just existing on their territory? It's scary,” states Cavallo.

“I get messages [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - can you help me?’.

“It breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated for being who they are.

“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”

Despite this, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.

“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It lets me communicate and educate people who seek understanding.

“Not everyone is going to like you for your identity. But I have found my family. I've connected with similar people.

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