In brief
In a controversial move, Italian football club Lazio has terminated the contract of Juan Bernabe, the man behind the handling of the club's eagle mascot, Olimpia. This decision follows Bernabe's act of sharing inappropriate videos of his prosthetic penis on social media. The club, which has maintained a longstanding association with the eagle symbol, expressed their shock at his actions and emphasized that it was impossible to connect their historic emblem with such conduct.
Bernabe had been involved with Lazio since the 2010-11 season and was notably seen flying the eagle before matches at the Stadio Olimpico. Despite the backlash, he defended his actions during a radio interview, stating that he aimed to raise awareness about his surgery and believed that nudity should not be stigmatized. He even claimed to have grown up in a naturist environment. This is not the first instance of controversy for Bernabe; he was suspended in 2021 after performing a fascist salute at a match, admitting he admired former fascist leader Benito Mussolini. The club's swift action underscores their commitment to uphold the integrity of their storied traditions amidst personal misjudgments.
