CNN
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Czech soccer star Jakub Jankto has turn into the primary lively worldwide males’s participant to announce he’s homosexual.
“Like everyone else, I’ve my strengths, I’ve my weaknesses; I’ve a household, I’ve my associates,” Jankto mentioned in a video launched on social media Monday.
“I’ve a job, which I’ve been doing it as finest as I can, for years, with seriousness, professionalism and keenness. Like everyone else, I additionally need to stay my life in freedom with out fears, with out prejudice, with out violence, however with love.
“I’m gay, and I now not need to cover myself.”
The 27-year-old midfielder is presently on mortgage at Sparta Prague from Spanish membership Getafe.
The Czechia-based group posted an announcement in help of the participant, writing: “Jakub Jankto spoke overtly about his sexual orientation with the membership’s administration, coach and teammates a while in the past.
“No additional feedback. No extra questions. You will have our help. Dwell your life, Jakub. Nothing else issues.”
In a present of help, Getafe wrote: “Our most respect and unconditional help for our footballer, Jakub Jankto.”
Jankto has performed 45 occasions for his nation since making his debut in 2017, scoring 4 objectives.
Footballing organizations additionally expressed their help for Jankto. UEFA, European soccer’s governing physique, wrote: “Effectively performed, Jakub. You’re a real inspiration, and European soccer is with you!”
Fifpro, the worldwide union for gamers, tweeted: “Dwell your life, Jakub. Proud.”
Jankto joins Australian participant Josh Cavallo as the one overtly homosexual top-flight male footballers on this planet. Jake Daniels, an 18-year-old striker for Blackpool in England’s second tier, got here out in Might 2022.
Thomas Hitzlsperger, a midfielder who performed for Germany 52 occasions, got here out after retiring.