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Josh Cavallo
Photo: BRENDON THORNE / imago images / AAP
Midfielder Josh Cavallo became the first active professional footballer to come out of the Australian A-League.
"I'm a footballer and I'm gay," the 21-year-old from Adelaide United announced on social media on Wednesday.
His club, the league and the Australian Association responded with supportive comments to the news.
He just wanted to play football and get equal treatment, said Cavallo, who has already played for the Australian U-20 national team: “Trying to get the best out of your skills and living this double life is exhausting.
I don't want anyone to have this experience. "
So far, only a few footballers worldwide have made their homosexuality public, mostly only after they have retired.
In 1990, Justin Fashanu became the first active professional to take this step, but found no acceptance and committed suicide in 1998.
Fashanu's case "troubled him" in his deliberations, said Cavallo.
The support of his club, teammates and officials was “immense,” said the Australian: “It's okay to be gay and play football.
I want to show that to all other people who have problems and fear. "
Two years ago, the Australian second division footballer Andy Brennan was the first Australian professional athlete to speak openly about his homosexuality.
In Germany, world champion Philipp Lahm had recently advised gay footballers to wait until after their careers to come out.
Ex-national player Thomas Hitzsperger had also taken this step, who made his homosexuality public two and a half years after the end of his professional career.
mfu / sid
