Italy’s Minister for Sport Andrea Abodi caused controversy by commenting on Jakub Jankto’s return to Serie A, saying that individual choices must be respected although he doesn’t like ‘ostentation.’
The 27-year-old midfielder came out as gay in February and is now set to return to Serie A, joining newly promoted side Cagliari.
Abodi spoke about Jankto’s return to the Peninsula on Monday morning and his claims have caused controversy in the country.
“Honestly, I don’t like ostentation in general, but individual choices must be respected for how they are taken and for what they are,” Abodi told Radio 24.
“Probably, society must take some steps forward. As for me, he is first a person and then an athlete. I do not make differences depending on personal choices.”
He tried to clarify on Twitter later in the afternoon by replying to a tweet from an Italian media reporting his words.
“To be correct, I answered by saying: for me, it’s about people. I spoke about respect for choices and, I add with conviction and fairness, for human nature,” he said.
“Respect is an unmistakable value to be guaranteed. Then, am I free not to share some expressions of the [gay] Pride?”
Jankto has already spent seven years of his career in Italy, playing for Ascoli, Udinese and Sampdoria.
The 27-year-old will undergo his medical with Cagliari on Tuesday, joining the Sardinians from Getafe. He has scored 17 goals in 155 appearances in Serie A. Jankto has already played under Cagliari boss Claudio Ranieri netting seven goals in 63 games with Sampdoria.