His coming out was encouraging!
Last Monday, Czech international Jakub Jankto (27, FC Getafe, currently on loan at Sparta Prague) became the first European professional footballer to reveal his homosexuality via Instagram.
Now, for the first time since his courageous and strong coming out, the midfielder is speaking regarding his reactions to it – and he’s getting even with the world of football!
In an interview with the radio station Italia 1, Jankto confirmed that football still has a problem with homosexuality.
Jankto: “Is the football world still homophobic? Certainly a bit, yes. Football is still homophobic. Otherwise I wouldn’t be one of the first to come out.”
And further: “Many are afraid to come out. Hopefully that way I might help them and say that it’s becoming normal for footballers to be gay.”
Look, Bavaria! The Gladbach dismantling in the video
However, in Jankto’s first game following coming out last weekend in the Czech league once morest Jablonec (3-0), no homophobic comments were made.
“It was wonderful. Everyone applauded me. For the first time in a long time I played with a smile. Now I can win, score, score hat-tricks and all with a smile on my face.”
Next: “I will also do everything possible so that my ex-wife and my three-year-old son are not molested.”
There was also encouragement from his ex-wife Marketá Ottomanská: “When Jakub told me, he also gave me a lot of freedom. The most important thing now is that he is safe and happy. I’m sure he will feel relieved and nothing will break him down inside,” said the Czech.
Just last week, Jankto courageously announced his coming out on social media. “I’m gay and I don’t want to hide anymore,” the midfielder said in a video post.
Two years ago, Australian midfielder Josh Cavallo (23, Adelaide United) became the first active player to come out. The Czech is now the first active footballer in Europe’s top leagues to come out as gay.