Czech Republic star Jakub Jankto on Monday revealed he is gay in an emotional video on social media while vowing: 'I no longer want to hide myself.'
In an emotional video on social media, Czech Republic football star Jakub Jankto came out as gay on Monday, while vowing: 'I no longer want to hide myself'. The 27-year-old, who is currently on loan at Sparta Prague from La Liga side Getafe, revealed he is homosexual after stating he is determined to live his life 'without fears, prejudice and violence - but with love'.
Jankto's emotional video has stirred a debate in the world of football, with most supporting the star player's choice to come out of the closet. The Getafe player's ex-wife Marketa Ottomanska too has supported Jankto and congratulated him on taking this step of coming out in the open.
"I am very proud that he has been able to gather the strength to go public. He is the first active footballer who announces it. The only ones who have admitted it are the retired ones, everyone else keeps it a secret. They are afraid of what people will say," Jankto's ex-wife said.
"I prefer to stay out of it, if only for our son, who is going to have to grow with it. It's just Jakub's story, his confession. When Jakub told me he also gave me great freedom. The important thing now is that he is safe and happy. I'm sure he'll feel relieved and nothing will eat away at him," Marketa Ottomanska added.
"He (Jankto) was afraid that people would not accept him as he is. He was stressed by it. I think people will love him as much as now. Everything All you have to do is be nice to them. There are still so many who send you private messages and threaten you. It's terrible that this still happens today. Strangers taking an interest in each other's lives," she stated.
Finally, Jankto's ex-wife also spoke about issues from the past, stating, "I don't deal with it anymore. I don't blame him. We are parents, so we have to get along."
Jankto's emotional video sparks reaction
"Hi I am Jakub Jankto. Like everybody else, I have my strengths, I have my weaknesses, I have a family, I have my friends," the footballer said in the opening statement of his video on social media.
"I have a job which I have been doing as best as I can for years, with seriousness, professionalism and passion. Like everybody else, I also want to live my life in freedom without fears, without prejudice, without violence - but with love," the Czech Republic footballer added.
"I am homosexual and I no longer want to hide myself," Jankto signed off.
As Jankto finishes speaking, a tagline at the bottom of the video reads: 'This is not an entertainment. The purpose of this video is to encourage others.'
“So close, no matter how far
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
And nothing else matters.
Never opened myself this way
Life is ours, we live it our way
All these words I don't just say
And nothing else matters.“ https://t.co/HttU8dlhzb
Jankto is one of the rare male football players to come out as gay in recent years. Josh Cavallo, an Australian player for Adelaide United, came out in 2021, making him the only professional athlete in the world to do so.
Jake Daniels of Blackpool FC later became the only openly gay footballer in the country when he decided to help end homophobia in sports last year.
Others have come out after their professional careers were done, such Thomas Hitzlsperger, a former player for Aston Villa, and Thomas Beattie, a former star of Hull City's youth programme.
Jankto, who has become the first LaLiga footballer to come out as gay, has been widely praised after he shared his message on social media. Sparta Prague said in a statement, "Jakub Jankto spoke openly about his sexual orientation with the board of directors, the coach and his fellow club members some time ago. Everything else concerns his personal life. There is no more comments. No more questions. You have our support. Live your life, Jacob. Nothing else matters."
Brazilian forward and Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar said, "It's an important day. Everyone is free, prejudices must be less important, whether it's homophobia, racism, any form of discrimination. But every human being should be free to do whatever they want."
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Here's a look at some of the reactions on Twitter:
Thank you, Jakub, for the example you set, of living openly, honestly, and with dignity. A role model to us all. 👏 https://t.co/EX3aCLAoC9
— Matt Field (@MattFieldUK)El fútbol es de todos ❤️
Football is for everyone ❤️
We're with you, Jakub. Football is for everyone 🏳️🌈
— Premier League (@premierleague)👏 Well done, Jakub. You're a true inspiration, and European football is with you!
— UEFA (@UEFA)We're all with you, Jakub. Football is for everyone 🏳️🌈❤️
— FIFA (@FIFAcom)Football is for all. Chelsea fully supports you, Jakub! 💙
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC)Everyone at Tottenham Hotspur is with you, Jakub 💙
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial)❤️🤍 from Eindhoven! 🏳️🌈
— PSV (@PSV)Todo nuestro respeto y apoyo.
Ojalá pronto no sea noticia.
🏳️🌈💜
Well said, Jakub. We're all with you! 🙌
— Professional Footballers’ Association (@PFA)🏳️🌈 Football is for everyone. We're with you, Jakub! 👏
— EFL (@EFL)Thank you for sharing your true self with the world. Soccer is for everyone 🫶🏳️🌈
— Major League Soccer (@MLS)Football is for everyone. Proud of you, Jakub. 💙
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC)Proud of you Jakub, thank you for sharing your true self with the football community 🙏
We're all here to support you 💛
Happy to see so many clubs in the comments showing love and support. Arsenal too, of course ❤🤍. It is always very personal to come out or stay in the closet. It is rarely simple - especially when your a public figure. But with people like Jakub, we will take steps forward 🏳️🌈. https://t.co/zUqHGlTjbB
— Jenni Heinonen 🇵🇸💙💛 (@hippi200)Well done on coming out . Very Proud of you my friend.
Nothing in life is to be feared.
Welcome to the family ❤️🔥 https://t.co/iz8XdK8Fg3
Thank you for sharing Jakub 🏳️🌈
We want football to be a place where everyone can thrive and be themselves. Another huge step in the world of football today 🐝 https://t.co/31K4hVFFIw
Respect, Jakub!
Love is without limits. 🌈❤️ https://t.co/pjKYui9Wof
𝙇𝙊𝙑𝙀 𝙄𝙎 𝙇𝙊𝙑𝙀!
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 https://t.co/8Dr8ZtjvFQ