by Maria Strada
Andrea Abodi, speaking on Radio 24, spoke of the return of Jankto (the first professional footballer to come out as gay) in Italy. There are many controversies. Elly Schlein, secretary of the Democratic Party: “Facilitate the coming out paths, there is no ostentation”
«Society, in general, can probably still take a few steps forward. As far as I’m concerned, he’s first of all a person and secondly he’s an athlete.” Andrea Abodi, Minister for Sport and Youth (who he is at this link) of the Meloni government, spoke on the 24 Mattino broadcast on Radio 24 on Monday morning and also touched on the theme of the return to Italy – to Cagliari – of Jakub Jankto, the Czech former Udinese and Sampdoria footballer who came out a few months ago, in February, becoming the first openly homosexual professional on a large scale.
The words from which the controversy and clarification arose
“I don’t make differences in characteristics that concern the sphere of personal choices – explained the minister -. If I have to be equally sincere, I don’t like ostentation in general, but individual choices must be respected for how they are taken and for what they are. I stop here”. Statements evidently intended to arouse controversy, so much so that a few hours later on Twitter Abodi from his personal account had to clarify. Replying to an article on his words, he explained the meaning he gave to the word “ostentation”. He was referring to “some expressions of Pride”, reaffirming the “respect for choices and, I add with conviction and fairness, for human nature”.
To be fair, I replied by saying: for me there are people. I spoke of respect for choices and, I add with conviction and fairness, for human nature. Respect is an unequivocal value that must be guaranteed. Then, can I not share some expressions of Pride?
— Andrea Abodi (@andreaabodi) July 10, 2023
Political reactions
A clarification which, however, did not spare him reactions from the world of politics. Elly Schlein also received a response from the secretary of the Pd Elly Schlein in the evening: «It’s one of the classic homophobic arguments, do whatever you want as long as it doesn’t show. I found some very serious statements. It would be appropriate for those in the institutions to facilitate the coming out paths, especially in sectors such as sports. It would be important not only not to stigmatize, but to stand by those who declare themselves ». «Moreover – adds Schlein – there is no ostentation in declaring what one is. It seems to me only a stance against gay pride, but the institutions should be the home of all and everyone.
Ivan Scalfarotto intervened on behalf of Azione-Italia Viva: «Choices, ostentation, excesses of Pride … things that a minister of another advanced country would not even dream of thinking about, let alone declaring them to the press. But why do you have to work so hard in Italy?». The vice president of the European Parliament, dem Pina Picierno, said she was “horrified” by the minister’s words, which she said were “unpleasant and inappropriate, all the more so because she holds an institutional position”.
Choices, ostentations, excesses of Pride? things that a minister of another advanced country would not even dream of thinking, let alone declare them to the press.
But why do you have to work so hard in Italy? #Abodi— Ivan Scalfarotto ?????? (@ivanscalfarotto) July 10, 2023
Jankto’s story
Jankto last February, after speaking first with his Sparta Prague teammates, had taken to social media to explain a very simple concept in a video (in English): «I am homosexual and I no longer want to hide, obtaining immediate support of a large part of the world of football, including a heart and rainbow flag from Fifa, who instead at the last World Cup in Qatar had tried to prohibit these “ostentations” by denying the captains the rainbow band. At the end of the video Jakub raised his eyes to the sky, as in a silent prayer: the problem is the courage, in fact, that is needed to face a closed and sometimes homophobic environment, such as that of football (perfidious chants of fans, above all, but also fierce, inappropriate arguments between technicians, sometimes).
Not just a footballer: his life as an entrepreneur
“Sampi”, a nickname that his father gave him
borrowing it from a Finnish cross-country skier, he is a footballer who loves to paint (not only passes on the field, but also paintings), and make portraits of his teammates. He speaks five languages: in addition to English Czech, Italian, Spanish and Russian. He has been married for a long time and also has a son, David, who is now almost four years old. But he is also a talented entrepreneur, to the point of being even considered by Forbes: he manages Sampi, an eSports academy for the best talents in his country, organized as football clubs should be: in Prague, a villa for his athletes with cook, gym, bedrooms for whoever wants, and strict rules: no smoking, no alcohol. A team of psychologists available: in short, a job (and, recently, the team won the European Championships for the second time in a row).
BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE!
Stuff of dreams that we wouldn’t have thought of a few months ago. Two European titles in one month is simply incredible. Huge thanks goes to everyone, who cheered for us on Twitch, in messages and in comments, you guys are all awesome! ? pic.twitter.com/6DMB2qa4lx
— Team Sampi (@teamsampi) June 12, 2023
July 10, 2023 (change July 10, 2023 | 7:59 pm)
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