Josh Cavallo has slammed Iker Casillas and Carles Puyol as “beyond disrespectful” after controversial tweets were deleted from both of the former Spanish internationals' accounts.
In a tweet published on Sunday afternoon, the former Casillas said: "I hope you respect me: I'm gay.”
The post garnered plenty of response with many praising Casillas’ actions as he seemingly became one of the first high-profile male former footballers to have been open about their sexuality. Ex-Barcelona defender Carles Puyol, though, clouded the situation by replying: "The time has come to tell our story, Iker."
However, the events then got even more confusing as reports in Spain stated Casillas’ actions were in response to speculation regarding his relationship status. Recent stories state that he is now in a relationship with Alejandra Onieva, 18 months after separating from the mother of his two children, Sara Carbonero.
Casillas deleted his original tweet before claiming that his account was hacked with a short statement. It read: "Hacked account. Luckily everything in order. Apologies to all my followers. And of course, more apologies to the LGBT community."
Meanwhile, Puyol also apologised via Twitter. The World Cup winner wrote: "I have made a mistake. Sorry for a clumsy joke with no bad intentions and totally out of place. I understand that it may have hurt sensitivities. All my respect and support for the LGTBIQA+ community."
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That has not satisfied many though - with the pair’s Twitter exchange causing a lot of upset. Among those to have criticised the Spanish duo is Cavallo.
He made headlines last year as he become the first active male professional football to come out as gay, whilst he was then followed by Blackpool starlet Jake Daniels earlier this year - the latter becoming the first male footballer in the UK to come out.
Cavallo took to social media to take aim at both Casillas and Puyol after initially believing that the tweet was a joke as opposed to someone gaining access to the former goalkeeper’s Twitter account. He wrote: “@IkerCasillas and @Carles5puyol joking and making fun out of coming out in football is disappointing. It’s a difficult journey that any LGBTQ+ ppl have to go through.
“To see my role models and legends of the game make fun out of coming out and my community is beyond disrespectful.”
He is not the only one to have been left shocked by the Spanish duo’s actions. Ex-Liverpool forward Jose Enrique accused the former goalkeeper of ‘lying to everyone’.
He said: "Instead of apologize and recognize the mistake rather lie to everyone."
