A day after Czech international Jakub Jankto came out as gay, Jens Stage from SV Werder Bremen made a strong plea.
Jens Stage spoke about several topics on Tuesday afternoon in Bremen: how he is currently finding his way better and better after his summer move from FC Copenhagen to SV Werder. About the birth of his first son just a few days ago – and how his girlfriend has his back free at night so that he appears reasonably rested for training. Also: about the upcoming game at Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday (6.30 p.m., LIVE! on kicker), in which he will meet his Danish compatriot Jesper Lindström, whose development in the Bundesliga definitely has potential for Stage to imitate…
But the 26-year-old formulated particularly remarkable words in relation to the homosexuality made public by football player Jakub Jankto on Monday. “I’m so happy that someone comes out and is so strong,” said Stage. The Werder professional emphasized that it should only be natural how you feel or which sexuality you belong to: “That should never be a problem. There should be room for everyone.” Also in football.
Stage: Outing is “healthy for football”
The 45-time Czech international Jankto, currently loaned to Sparta Prague by FC Getafe, published a video message on Twitter on Monday: “I’m gay and I don’t want to hide anymore.” So far, only a few active professional footballers have come out. “I also know that it can be difficult,” said Stage about the supposedly taboo subject, “so I’m proud that he made it public.”
For football, this “positive story” of the 27-year-old midfielder can only “be healthy by showing that it doesn’t matter who we love. It’s just love – and it’s there for everyone,” said Stage. The Dane therefore hopes that Jankto “sets a role model for everyone who finds himself in the same situation”.
