Josh Cavallo has admitted he'd be scared to go to the World Cup in Qatar next winter, after the Adelaide United player came out as gay last month.
Cavallo became the only active out player last month, when he shared an emotional post on social media, with the 21-year-old saying he was 'proud' to announce his sexuality after 'fighting' with it for over six years.
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The Australian full back has so far only represented his country at under 20 level but has revealed that he would fear for his safety if called up for the senior World Cup in just over 12 months times.
Male homesexuality is illegal in the country and there is even the possibility of a death penalty for Muslim men. Asked about the illegality of his sexuality in the country, Cavallo admitted it did make him scared to go.
"I read something along the lines of that [they] give the death penalty for gay people in Qatar," he said on the Guardian's 'Today in Focus' podcast.
"So it's something I'm very scared [of] and wouldn't really want to go to Qatar for that, and that saddens me."
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"At the end of the day the World Cup is in Qatar and one of the greatest achievements as a professional footballer is to play for your country.
"And to know that this is in a country that doesn't support gay people and puts us at risk of our own life, that does scare me and makes me re-evaluate – is my life more important than doing something really good in my career."
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Whilst there has been campaigns within football to promote LGBT+ fans and culture in the game, there has been criticism over FIFA's decisions on World Cup hosts.
It was claimed ahead of the tournament in Russia in 2018 that there was 'state sponsored' homophobia in the country and homosexuals face up to three years in prison next year in Qatar.
When asked about the laws in the country, when Qatar was given the World Cup, then FIFA president said, "I would say they [homosexuals] should refrain from any sexual activities," before later apologising.
David Beckham has also been criticised for becoming an ambassador for the tournament next year, due to the country's laws and human rights record.
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UEFA also came in for criticism during the summer's Euros, after they banned the Allianz Stadium in Munich for being lit up in the rainbow colours to show support for the LGBTQ+ community.
The move came after Hungary brought in a law to ban the dissemination of content in schools which are deemed to promote homosexuality and the topic of gender change.
Germany wanted to change the lighting of the Allianz ahead of Hungary playing there. Whilst they were banned, UEFA did allow advertising hoardings to be changed into the rainbow colours.
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Qatar has said it will allow LGBT flags in World Cup 2022 stadiums, although that is unlikely to make any homosexual fans, players or officials feel any safer about going.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/FIFATopics: Football World Cup, FIFA, Australia