Exclusive:
Josh Cavallo became the first-ever top-flight gay footballer in 2021 and previously told Mirror Football he would fear for his safety if the World Cup is played in Saudi Arabia, as it will be in 2034
EXCLUSIVE: Cavallo wouldn’t feel comfortable playing in Saudi Arabia
Josh Cavallo’s pleas that LGBT+ footballers will not feel safe playing in the Saudi Arabia World Cup have been ignored.
Adelaide United star Cavallo became the first-ever top-flight footballer to come out as gay back in October 2021. He has since become a vocal critic of FIFA for its decisions to hand top-level tournaments to anti-LGBT+ countries.
One of those countries is Saudi Arabia, who on Wednesday were confirmed as the hosts of the 2034 World Cup. Same-sex relations are illegal in the kingdom and are punishable by the death penalty, unlimited prison terms, flogging, fines and forced deportation.
In an exclusive interview with Mirror Football, Cavallo made it clear that he had serious concerns about their bid to host the tournament. The Australian even shockingly admitted he would fear for his life if he played in the Middle East state.
“I honestly wouldn’t feel safe,” he said. “It’s so sad to say that but even in my football career, there’s certain countries I will not go to and play my club football or play with the national team in.
“At the end of the day, it comes to a point where it’s your livelihood over your job which for me is incredibly sad because this is what I do, I wake up and I breathe football, this is what I’m made for.
“To know that I’m limited and stuck in certain countries because they don’t approve of how I love or how I live my life is quite saddening. I wouldn’t want to be entering a space like that at the moment. There’s a lot of improvement that needs to happen before I consider that.
“If I’m going to the World Cup [in 2034], I’m fearing for my life more than the dream I wanted to do as a kid and play in a World Cup. It’s quite frightening.”
Rather than listen to Cavallo’s warning though, the FA backed Saudi’s bid to host the World Cup. The governing body have claimed they have received a committment that LGBT+ fans travelling to the tournament would be safe, a claim many in the community believe to be worthless.
A statement from the FA read: “After a careful review of both proposals, we supported the two World Cup bids – from Spain/Portugal/Morocco in 2030, and Saudi Arabia in 2034.
“Both bids are technically strong and meet the FIFA criteria to host the Men’s World Cup. Our focus is on ensuring that all our fans can attend and enjoy tournaments. The FA Board met the Saudi Arabian Football Federation last month to discuss their bid in more detail.
“We asked them to commit to ensuring all fans would be safe and welcome in Saudi Arabia in 2034 – including LGBTQ+ fans. They assured us that they are fully committed to providing a safe and welcome environment for all fans. Football is a global game, and is for everyone.
“Our commitment to diversity and inclusion means being respectful of all, including all religions and cultures. We also believe that hosting World Cups can be a catalyst for positive change, which is best delivered by working collaboratively in partnership with host nations. We will work with FIFA and UEFA to ensure that commitments to respect all human rights are delivered.”
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