Homosexuality is far from being part of everyday life in men's football. It is all the more remarkable that the Czech national player Jakub Jankto now dares to go public and comes out. He doesn't want to hide any longer, he says, and has received a lot of encouragement for it.
The Czech national soccer player Jakub Jankto has come out. "I'm gay and I don't want to hide anymore," the midfielder said in a video he posted on social media.
"I have a job that I have done as well as possible over the years, with seriousness and professionalism and passion," said Jankto, who is currently on loan from FC Getafe to Czech first division club Sparta Prague. He also wanted to "live his life in peace, without fear, without prejudice and without violence," said the 27-year-old in his message.
Prague said in a statement that Jankto had spoken openly about his sexual orientation with the club's management, the coach and his teammates some time ago: "Everything else concerns his personal life. No further comments. No further questions. You have our support ."
Jon Holmes, the founder of Sports Media LGBT , wrote on Twitter: "It's the power of Jakub Jankto's words and the way he uses social media that really stands out. Nobody should have to hide. Bravo Jakub! "
Numerous clubs and organizations commented on Jankto's post. Among them were u. a. UEFA, the English Premier League, the Bundesliga club FC Schalke 04 and the British referee Ryan Atkin, who has also come out. "European football is with you," UEFA wrote, and Atkin commented: "It's really fantastic. You will inspire so many people."
In his professional career so far, Jankto has also played for Udinese Calcio and Sampdoria Genoa in Italy's Serie A alongside Getafe and Sparta. He has played 45 international matches for the Czech national team and was selected for the 2021 European Championship.
Jankto, whose career is far from over, thus becomes the most well-known player who admits to being homosexual. So far, only a few active professional footballers have come out. Josh Cavallo from Australia's A-League came out in 2021, followed a year later by English striker Jake Daniels, who plays for Blackpool FC's junior teams.
