Norwich City LGBT+ group hopes Jakub Jankto inspires others

Proud Canaries members say they hope Czech international midfielder Jakub Jankto coming out will bring more tolerance to the game and encourage other players and fans to be themselves.

Jankto, who is on loan at Spanish top-tier side Getafe from Czech club Sparta Prague, made the announcement on Twitter on Monday saying he "no longer wants to hide".

Rob Sanderson, 34, of Proud Canaries, who is also a member of England LGBT+ group Three Lions Pride, said: "It's reassuring he's felt comfortable enough to do this in the first place.

"People should never feel forced to do this.

"It's an encouraging sign on the men's side, it'll be interesting to see what happens next.

"What [Blackpool FC young player] Jake Daniels and others have done is brave, but this is another level doing it at the top, there's a lot more scrutiny.

"But there's still a way to go, the floodgates aren't going to open yet.

"We have to recognise some of the hypocrisy we've seen with Fifa tweeting to congratulate him despite the fact they forced us to accept the Qatari regime during the World Cup."

Mr Sanderson said he did not expect the announcement to have a big impact on the British game.

He added: "The benefit will be felt the most in games he is playing in because it will either encourage people to be more tolerant or highlight bad behaviour.

"I don't think it will be significant in the UK, but there is a more tolerant tone coming here."

Jankto became the first to be openly gay senior player in European men's football since former Norwich player Justin Fashanu, whose birthday it would have been on Sunday and who is the subject of a planned statue in Norwich's Riverside area.