Czech Republic international Jakub Jankto comes out as gay

Jankto revealed the news on social media

Czech Republic international and Sparta Prague midfielder Jankub Jankto has officially come out as gay. Jankto officially announced the news by revealing a video on Twitter on Monday and is the highest profile footballer to publicly come out while playing since Josh Cavallo of Adelaide United and Jake Daniels of Blackpool. In his announcement, Jankto emotionally said that he wants to live his life "without fears, without prejudice, without violence, but with love". He said: "Hi, I'm 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 it 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."

https://twitter.com/FootballJOE/status/1625124214247235584 The 27-year-old is currently on loan at Sparta Prague from LaLiga side Getafe and has followed in the footsteps of Cavallo and Daniels. Cavallo became the first high profile active player to come out in 2021 and was widely praised by fans and figures from around the world. Blackpool's Daniels then made his announcement public in May 2022 during an interview with Sky Sports where he hoped his announcement would inspire others to come out after becoming the first UK male professional since Justin Fashanu to publicly come out as gay. Related links:

• Blackpool’s Jake Daniels publicly comes out as gay
• Josh Cavallo hails Jake Daniels’ bravery and says he is ‘very proud’
• Australian footballer Josh Cavallo comes out as gay