‘I no longer want to hide myself’: Czech Republic footballer Jakub Jankto comes out as gay in an emotional video on social media as he vows to live his life ‘without fears, prejudice and violence’
- Jankto wants to encourage others to speak out after revealing he is homosexual
- He has spent close to a decade playing in Italy, Spain and the Czech Republic
- The 27-year-old has received widespread praise on social media for the message
Czech Republic star Jakub Jankto has come out as gay in an emotional video on social media while vowing: ‘I no longer want to hide myself.’
Jankto, who is currently on loan at Sparta Prague from LaLiga side Getafe, revealed he is homosexual after insisting in the clip that he is determined to live life ‘without fears, prejudice and violence – but with love’.
The 27-year-old said: ‘Hi I am Jakub Jankto. Like everybody else, I have my strengths, I have my weaknesses, I have a family, I have my friends.
‘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.
‘I am homosexual and I no longer want to hide myself.’
Czech Republic star Jakub Jankto has come out as gay in an emotional video on social media
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.’
The Getafe player is one of many footballers to have come out as gay in recent years, with Blackpool FC’s Jake Daniels becoming Britain’s only active homosexual player when he made the move to help tackle homophobia in the sport last year.
Josh Cavallo, who plays for Australian team Adelaide United, came out as gay in 2021 to then become the only out pro in the world.
Some have also come out after their careers were over, such as former Aston Villa player Thomas Hitzlsperger and ex-Hull City youth star Thomas Beattie.
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