Czech international Jakub Jankto has revealed that he is gay and wants to live his life “without fears”.
The Sparta Prague midfielder posted a video on social media on Monday saying he wanted to live his life “in freedom” and not to “hide” anymore.
He said: “Like everyone else, I have my strengths, I have my weaknesses, I have my family, I have my friends.
“Like everyone else, I want to live my life in freedom. Without fears. Without prejudices. Without violence. But with love. I’m gay and I don’t want to hide anymore.”
Sparta Prague followed Jankto’s announcement by saying: “Jakub spoke openly with the club a while ago about his sexual orientation. Everything else concerns his private life. No further comments. No more questions. You have our support. Live your life Jacob. ” Nothing else matters.”
Josh Cavallo announced in October 2021 that he is gay, becoming the first man active in professional football to speak openly about his homosexuality since Justin Fashanu, who publicly revealed that he is gay in 1990.
Blackpool striker Jake Daniels became the first male footballer in Britain to speak openly about his homosexuality since Fashanu, when he publicly shared this information in May 2022. Scottish footballer Zander Murray also revealed last year that he is gay and he is the first player to open up about being gay in Scotland’s men’s professional leagues since Fashanu, who played for Hearts in 1994.
Jankto, 27, has 45 caps for the Czech Republic and played in all five of his team’s games at the 2021 European Championship as they reached the quarter-finals.
He joined Sparta Prague on loan from La Liga side Getafe this season, having previously made 155 appearances in Serie A with Sampdoria and Udinese.