Lazio has terminated the contract of Juan Bernabe, the falconer responsible for handling the club’s iconic eagle mascot, Olympia, following the sharing of explicit photos on social media. Bernabe, who has been a fixture at Lazio’s Stadio Olimpico since the 2010-11 season, posted images and videos of his penis after undergoing surgery to implant a prosthesis aimed at improving his sexual performance.
The Serie A club expressed shock over the incident, issuing a statement to confirm Bernabe’s dismissal with “immediate effect.” Lazio emphasized the severity of his actions, stating that it was “impossible to associate our historical symbol with such an individual.”
“We are aware of the shared pain that the loss of the eagle will cause to fans for upcoming home matches, but the actions of this individual have made it impossible to continue our relationship with him,” Lazio said in a statement.
In an interview with radio station Radio24, Bernabe defended his decision to post the videos, explaining that his intention was to raise awareness about the surgery. He also claimed the images were shared on his private social media accounts and justified his actions by saying, “Nudity is normal, I grew up in an open-minded, naturist family.”
This is not the first time Bernabe has been embroiled in controversy. In 2021, Lazio suspended him after he was filmed performing a fascist salute and chanting “duce, duce,” a phrase associated with Benito Mussolini, the fascist dictator who ruled Italy in the early 20th century. Bernabe later confirmed his admiration for Mussolini and other historical figures linked to fascism, including Spanish dictator Francisco Franco.
“I did it and I don’t regret it because I admire Mussolini, he did great things for Italy as Franco did for Spain,” Bernabe stated in 2021.
Lazio’s decision to part ways with Bernabe comes as part of the club’s effort to distance itself from behavior deemed incompatible with the club’s values, marking the end of a long-standing partnership with the falconer.
Quote Note:
Lazio’s move to terminate Bernabe’s contract reflects the club’s commitment to upholding its values and distancing itself from actions that undermine the integrity of its historical symbols, including the iconic Olympia the eagle.
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