Josh Cavallo, who last year became the first openly gay active player in professional men’s football, dreams of representing Australia at the World Cup this winter. However, the 22-year-old left-back of Adelaide United fears that his life is not certain if he actually travels to Qatar. “I’m worried about it,” Cavallo says in an extensive conversation with Sky Sports†
The left wing defender has never played for the Australian national team, which qualified for the World Cup in June after a penalty thriller against Peru. “But if I get called up, I would definitely go,” said Cavallo. “I want to show that homosexuality is okay for everyone. It’s not just okay for Josh Cavallo because he’s a footballer and he’s protected, I want it to be okay for that ordinary person.”
Homosexuality is prohibited in Qatar. For example, sex between two people of the same sex carries a prison sentence of one to three years. Nasser Al Khater, top man of the World Cup in Qatar, previously said that gays are welcome in the Gulf state. “Everyone is welcome as long as they follow the rules and respect the local culture.” In other words, gays are welcome, as long as they don’t show their affection in public, which is a crime in Qatar.
Al Khater specifically mentioned that Cavallo is welcome in his country, but the Australian footballer is not convinced. “It does worry me. If I represent Australia at the World Cup, and I do everything I can, it would be an honour, but at the same time it conflicts with the laws in the country. I want to do very well in my career and I “I always dreamed of playing for my country in the World Cup, but do I want my life to be in danger? It’s difficult and a bit sad. It’s almost impossible to choose between them.”
Cavallo ended up on a true rollercoaster last year, after coming out as a gay professional football player in October 2021. “It was incredible to see how the world reacted and basically gave me a big hug,” says the Australian. “I didn’t realize the impact my story would have on many millions of people around the world. It feels like it’s been five years since I’ve been living the days so intensely since then. I’m very happy and proud of myself that I And football can help.”
Reply
You may respond from level 3.