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“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Stop breathing.”

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

“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” Cavallo explains. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be on the pitch, and then get put down due to my identity. It's appalling.”

Player Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.

This summer he departed from Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, one level below of English football.

The 25-year-old combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues 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 says when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.

“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

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

“My only desire is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he stated in an accompanying video.

Cavallo was twenty-one and building his reputation at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.

“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.

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

A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.”

Spanish player the athlete also expressed backing, writing on social media that “the world of football is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

The footballer soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.

In January 2022 a competing team were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a match.

“The things I'd hear were hurtful and derogatory towards my community,” he explains.

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

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

“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “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 playing football at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”

The player says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have affected his psychological well-being.

“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I deserve a place on the football field for being who I am,” he states.

“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.

“Many individuals see me as a smiling, positive person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he witnesses a lot that happens behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped prompt teenage Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in May 2022.

However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.

“It would move mountains,” says Cavallo on the effect a Premier League player revealing their orientation would make.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in professional soccer.

“Simply attend to a match and see the hostile environment and masculinity that the audience creates,” he explains.

“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a secure environment in football for individuals like me and Jake.

“Progress has been limited (more players coming out) as much as we would like.

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

‘My mission is to drive progress’

Cavallo says football has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about coming out.

Yet, he is critical of Fifa, 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.

“Do I approve that the World Cup is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be put in prison for merely living on that land? It's scary,” says Cavallo.

“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - is assistance possible?’.

“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for being who they are.

“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they reject LGBTQ+ people. These places that tend to target me.”

Nevertheless, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.

“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who want to learn more.

“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.

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