In brief
Lazio has officially terminated the contract of falconer Juan Bernabe following his decision to share explicit videos related to his prosthetic surgery on social media. The club expressed shock over the incident, emphasizing a need to dissociate from such conduct, especially in the context of their eagle mascot, Olimpia. Bernabe has previously courted controversy, including a suspension for his actions during a match, but defended his latest online posts as a means of raising awareness about his medical journey.
Bernabe had been with Lazio, managing the eagle's flights over their home stadium, since the 2010-11 season. The club cited that the explicit nature of Bernabe's content was incompatible with the values and image of Lazio. Reflecting on the situation, Bernabe commented on his intention to normalize nudity, attributing his mindset to an open upbringing.The Serie A club noted that despite the challenges his dismissal may present to fans who cherish the eagle mascot, it was imperative to act in accordance with the club's image and ethos. Bernabe had previously stirred public criticism, including a notable incident in 2021 where he was suspended for making a fascist salute at a match, which he later defended.
