“Adelaide United has always been committed to fostering an inclusive environment for players, staff and fans and we remain proud of our continued work to promote inclusion across football.
“Strengthening inclusivity must remain a constant focus of the game and the club looks forward to hosting the fourth edition of the Pride Cup this weekend against Melbourne Victory.”
A-League player Josh Cavallo came out publicly in 2021.Credit: Getty Images
The Pride Cup match – which was formally announced by Adelaide United on Monday – is an initiative that Cavallo himself helped bring to life.
“No matter who we are, who we love or how we identify, we all deserve to play the sports we love without fear of mistreatment, exclusion or harm,” said Hayley Conway, CEO of the Pride Cup, in a statement released after Cavall’s post was published.
“Josh Cavallo has shown immense courage in sharing his truth, just as he did when he first decided to come out. His experience reflects the reality that LGBTIQ+ people can still face enormous challenges even after reaching these public milestones.”
Professional Footballers Australia, the A-League players’ union, also released a statement praising Cavall for helping create a “more inclusive environment” in Australian football.
“It was internalized homophobia that kept me on the bench.”
Josh Cavallo in an Instagram post
“Josh’s courage has been vital in creating a more inclusive environment in Australian football,” PFA chief executive Beau Busch said.
“We will continue to ensure that Josh and all of our members are fully supported to be their authentic selves.
“Significant progress has been made through the bravery of players like Josh, along with initiatives like this weekend’s Pride Cup and the vital advocacy and education provided by groups like the Pride Cup.
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“However, it is equally important to recognize that much work still needs to be done to tackle homophobia in sport and across the wider community.”
Cavallo announced that he was gay in 2021, becoming the first active top male footballer in the world to do so.
He did not play a game for Adelaide United last season, and when his departure was announced in May 2025, the club praised him for the “legacy” he was leaving behind, expressing their gratitude for “embracing me and allowing me to live authentically”.
But he said in a post on Instagram that his “heartache” over the lack of minutes was exacerbated after learning of a “group chat of teammates mocking a photo of me and my partner.”
During his time at Adelaide, sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there was tension behind the scenes due to conflicts between Cavall’s football commitments and his off-field demands, which increased exponentially after he stepped down, with some of the world’s biggest clubs, players and brands congratulating him on his bravery.
Sources also confirmed that in March 2022, Cavallo received a one-match internal ban for being allowed to travel interstate for a sponsored event while injured without notifying the club’s hierarchy in advance. The ban was kept secret by the club to protect Cavall.
He has since moved to the UK, first signing for Peterborough Sports before joining Stamford AFC, who play in England’s sixth and eighth tiers, last month.
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