Czech soccer player Jakub Jankto comes out as gay

By: The Associated Press Posted: 8:40 AM CST Monday, Feb. 13, 2023 Last Modified: 11:05 AM CST Monday, Feb. 13, 2023

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PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) — Czech Republic midfielder Jakub Jankto posted a video on social media on Monday saying he is gay, making him one of the most high-profile male soccer players to come out.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/02/2023 (1331 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Jankto posted a video on Twitter saying: “I’m homosexual. And I no longer want to hide myself.”

The 27-year-old Jankto is playing for Sparta Prague this season on loan from Spanish club Getafe. He has previously played for Italian clubs Sampdoria and Udinese and has made 45 appearances for the Czech national team, scoring four goals and setting up 13 more.

FILE - Czech Republic's Jakub Jankto reacts after missing a chance to score during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Czech Republic and Switzerland at the Sinobo stadium in Prague, Czech Republic, June 2, 2022. Czech Republic midfielder Jakub Jankto posted a video on social media on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023 saying he is gay, making him one of the most high-profile male soccer players to come out. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, file)

“Like everyone else, I want to live my life with freedom, without fear, without violence, without prejudice, but with love,” Jankto says in the video.

Sparta Prague’s official Twitter account retweeted the video and said “you have our support.”

“Live your life, Jakub,” the club added.

Getafe also posted a message on Twitter, saying: “Our utmost respect and unconditional support to our player Jakub Jankto.”

Brazil forward Neymar was asked about the video on Monday ahead of Paris Saint-Germain’s match against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

“It’s an important day. I think each person should be free, I don’t have any problem with this,” Neymar said through a translator. “Every human being should be free to be who they want.”

The Czech national team said “nothing is changing for us.”

The Premier League responded to Jankto’s video with a comment saying: “We’re with you, Jakub. Football is for everyone.”

Jankto has a 3-year-old son, David, with his partner Marketa. Their relationship ended in 2021.

While women’s soccer features many prominent LGBTQ+ players, it’s still rare for professional male players to come out publicly as gay.

Josh Cavallo, who plays for Adelaide United in Australia, became the only openly gay player in a top men’s league when he came out in 2021.

Last year, Jake Daniels of English second-division club Blackpool became the first active male professional soccer player in Britain to publicly say he’s gay.

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