Josh Cavallo Accuses Former Club Adelaide United of Internal Homophobia After 2025 Exit

Josh Cavallo, a 26-year-old Australian footballer who made history as the first openly gay man to play elite professional soccer, has publicly accused his former club Adelaide United FC of internal homophobia that impacted his career.

Cavallo came out as gay in October 2021 via an emotional social media post, expressing relief at no longer living a double life. He had spent much of his professional career with Adelaide United in Australia's A-League but did not make a single appearance during the 2024-2025 season.

In a detailed Instagram statement posted on January 13, 2026, Cavallo reflected on his departure from the club in May 2025, which was announced via a joint statement at the time. He wrote, "It's taken me a while to digest how my time at Adelaide United ended, but I think the fans deserve honesty."

Cavallo alleged that his exit "had nothing to do with football"and that decisions by people in power blocked his opportunities "not because of my talent, but because of who I choose to love." He claimed that under new management, he was not allowed on the pitch due to politics, describing the club as homophobic and stating that internal homophobia kept him on the bench despite his hard work and improvements.

The footballer, who was once capped at U19 level by Australia, expressed that the experience revived fears he had about coming out publicly, questioning for the first time if he should have kept his sexuality secret. He felt isolated and cited a group chat among teammates mocking a picture of him and his partner, Leighton Morrell, as adding to his heartache.

Cavallo and Morrell became engaged in 2024 after an on-pitch proposal at Adelaide United's home ground. Morrell commented on the Instagram post, "Proud of you. Even this post doesn't really do justice to how heavy that time actually was to live through."

Hours after Cavallo's post, Adelaide United issued a statement on its website rejecting the allegations. The club said it was "extremely disappointed by the claims made and categorically rejects the allegations, including any suggestion that Adelaide United is homophobic." It emphasized that all on-field decisions on team selection are made solely on footballing grounds.

Adelaide United reaffirmed its commitment to an inclusive environment for players, staff, and supporters, noting its pride in promoting inclusion in football. The club highlighted its upcoming fourth annual Pride Cup match against Melbourne Victory this weekend as part of ongoing inclusivity efforts. Adelaide United stated it would not comment further.

Cavallo, now playing for semi-professional side Stamford AFC in the UK, concluded his statement positively, saying the fresh start has helped him breathe again and that he refuses to let the experience ruin his connection to Adelaide. He thanked fans for their support, emphasizing their passion and role in his journey.

The exchange underscores persistent discussions around inclusion for LGBTQ+ athletes in professional sports, particularly soccer, where Cavallo's 2021 coming out was a landmark moment. As the story develops, it draws attention to the need for safe spaces and fair treatment for openly gay players in team environments.