“I am homosexual, and I no longer want to hide myself”

Progress continues for LGBTQ+ professional footballers as Czech Republic international midfielder, Jakub Jankto, becomes the latest male professional player to come out as gay.

This makes him the first current international in men’s football to do this.

Jakub says he "no longer wants to hide" he goes onto say "Like everybody else, I have my strengths, I have my weaknesses, I have a family, I have my friends. I have a job that I have been doing as best as I can for years with seriousness, with professionalism and passion." He added: "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”.

Jakub, Inspirující

Last year, Blackpool's Jake Daniels became the first professional player in the UK men's game for more than 30 years to come out while still playing.

With several male professional players now having come out over the past 2 years, we are hoping LGBTQ+ inclusion in the game is entering a new era of understanding.