Midfielder Jakub Jankto from Sparta Prague became the first active professional footballer in the Czech elite league to make his homosexuality public.
“I’m gay – and I don’t want to hide anymore,” the 27-year-old said in a video posted to social media. He wants to lead his life in freedom, “without fear, without prejudice, without violence, but with love,” emphasized the Czech international, who also played at the 2021 European Championship.
His club Sparta Prague, to whom he is on loan from Spanish first division club Getafe, reacted positively. “You have our support. Live your life, Jakub,” the club wrote on Twitter. Jankto used to play for years in Italy with Udinese Calcio and Sampdoria Genoa. The native of Prague has been with the Czech capital club Sparta since the beginning of the current season.
Among the Central and Eastern European countries, the Czech Republic is comparatively liberal when it comes to the acceptance of homosexuality. Gays and lesbians can enter into a registered partnership, but they are not allowed to marry. Every year in summer the rainbow parade “Prague Pride” takes place in Prague.