In brief
The Italian football club Lazio has terminated the contract of falconer Juan Bernabe, who controversially shared explicit videos of his prosthetic penis on social media. The club, acknowledging the emotional impact on fans due to Bernabe's long-standing association with their eagle mascot, cited the scandal as incompatible with their values.
Italian football club Lazio has made headlines after sacking falconer Juan Bernabe due to his controversial social media posts that included explicit videos of his prosthetic penis. Bernabe, who has managed the club's eagle mascot, Olimpia, since the 2010-11 season, was removed from his position effective immediately following the online revelations.In a statement, Lazio expressed their dismay, noting that they could not associate their historic emblem with such an individual's actions. The club acknowledged that while fans may feel a sense of loss regarding the eagle, maintaining the integrity of their symbol was imperative. Juan Bernabe defended his actions, explaining that he intended to raise awareness about the surgery he underwent, promoting a message of body positivity. He emphasized that he shared the footage on his personal social media account, asserting that nudity was a normal aspect of life for him, having been raised in a naturist household.This is not the first time Bernabe has found himself at the center of controversy. In 2021, he was suspended by Lazio after being filmed performing a fascist salute during a match against Inter Milan, an act he later justified by expressing admiration for Benito Mussolini, claiming the former dictator achieved significant milestones for Italy.As Lazio prepares for upcoming home matches, the club faces not only a transition in mascot management but also the broader implications of Bernabe's actions on its reputation and fan sentiment.
