Soccer player Jankto received on field with cheers after coming-out

He anticipated negative reactions, but those fears were immediately belied: Czech soccer player Jakub Jankto was met with loud cheers upon his return to the field. The 45-time international announced last week to the world that he is gay.

Jankto made his first minutes since October again Sunday as a substitute at Sparta Prague. After his entrance in the home game with FK Jablonec (3-0), supporters scanned his name.

It took a while to see how the soccer world would react to the announcement of 27-year-old Jankto, who is currently the only player in the highest leagues in Europe to come out for his homosexuality. He came out first to his family a year and a half ago and then to his best friend.

The first reactions after his announcement were positive, Jankto said. But it remains to be seen whether that will continue. “The soccer world is obviously a bit homophobic. It would be naive to think that nothing is happening at all. If someone feels the need to react negatively, that person has to know for himself. I won’t respond to it.”