Adelaide United Rejects Josh Cavallo's Homophobia Allegations Amid Mediation Offer

Josh Cavallo, a 26-year-old Australian professional soccer player who came out as gay in 2021, publicly accused his former club Adelaide United FC of homophobia in an Instagram statement on January 13, 2026. Cavallo, who played most of his career with the A-League club, claimed he was kept on the bench throughout the 2024-2025 season not due to injuries or performance, but because of "internal homophobia"and "politics"under new management.

In his post, Cavallo stated, "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." He added, "It's hard to swallow when I realised my own club was homophobic. I was angry because people thought I was sidelined based on injuries, when in reality, it was internal homophobia that kept me on the bench." Cavallo also alleged witnessing a group chat among teammates mocking a photo of him and his partner, Leighton Morrell, which deepened his isolation.

The player reflected on the emotional toll, saying it made him question his decision to come out publicly: "This was exactly the fear I had about coming out, seeing prejudice affect my career in modern day. For the first time, I actually questioned if I should have kept my sexuality a secret." Cavallo departed Adelaide United in May 2025 via a joint statement and has since moved to the UK for a fresh start. Morrell supported him in the comments, writing, "Proud of you. Even this post doesn't really do justice to how heavy that time actually was to live through."

Adelaide United responded hours later on its official website, expressing disappointment and "categorically reject the allegations, including any suggestion that Adelaide United is homophobic." The club emphasized, "All on-field decisions relating to team selection are made solely on footballing grounds." It noted Cavallo had not raised these concerns internally during his time there.

The club contacted the players'union immediately after the post to verify claims and found no evidence of wrongdoing or homophobia. Adelaide United expressed willingness for mediation, stating it wants to "work proactively with Josh for his own welfare as much as the club's brand." The response reaffirmed its commitment to inclusivity, highlighting its fourth annual Pride Cup match against Melbourne Victory scheduled for the upcoming weekend, an event linked to Cavallo's historic coming out five years ago.

The allegations have sparked broader discussion on challenges for LGBTQ+ athletes in sports. ABC News reported homophobic and abusive comments targeting Cavallo on Adelaide United's Facebook page following his post. Cavallo's 2021 coming out made global headlines and inspired initiatives like the Pride Cup, underscoring his role as a trailblazer for gay men in professional soccer. The club has not commented further, and the story remains developing as mediation possibilities emerge.

This incident spotlights persistent barriers for openly LGBTQ+ individuals in male-dominated sports, where person-first affirmation and safe environments remain critical. Cavallo's experience echoes fears many transgender people and other LGBTQ+ athletes face regarding career repercussions for living authentically.