WARNING, EXPLICIT CONTENT: Lazio have fired their far-right eagle mascot handler, Juan Bernabe, after he shared a video of his penile implant on social media
Lazio have sacked their club falconer Juan Bernabe after he shared an explicit video with pictures of his penile implant.
Bernabe has been a staple of matchdays for Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico since 2010, sending the club’s eagle mascot Olimpia flying around the ground before kick-off. But the Spaniard’s time at the Serie A club has come to an abrupt end following his X-rated social media post.
The 56-year-old shared every detail of a penile implant treatment he underwent on social media. Unsurprisingly, Lazio’s hierarchy took a dim view of the post and announced that Bernabe – who had previously been suspended for making a fascist salute and singing a song in support of infamous Italian dictator Benito Mussolini – had been fired.
Lazio’s official statement read: “Lazio, shocked to see the photos and images of Juan Bernabeu, announces that it was ended, with immediate effect, all relations with this individual, given the seriousness of his behaviour.
“The company is aware of the pain, shared by all, that the loss of the eagle in the next home games will cause to fans. But it believes it’s not possible to be associated, especially with the historical symbol of the eagle, with a subject that has made the continuation of the relationship inadmissible.”
Bernabe responded to his sacking, saying: “The operation does not make me a porn star, I had a health issue. As for the president? He is not upset about the photos, he is a man too.”
The falconer had previously revealed he had the implant to “increase his sexual performance” and had no regrets over his behaviour, “I put the video on my private profile so it’s a private thing. If people then circulate it what can I do?”
“My conscience is clear, I published it only to let people know about the surgery. I’ve never regretted anything, let alone doing it for something that has a medical purpose.
“I had the surgery to increase my sexual performance because I am very active. I need to ejaculate whenever I have free time. A wonderful surgery, I had it to be as good as I was when I was young. My erection is natural but with this device I press a button that allows me to perfectly control both the erection and the timing.
“Everyone likes sex, I don’t drink, I don’t smoke and I don’t take drugs, but I like sex like all men and we men always try to have a greater sexual capacity.
“I would advise people to have this procedure because previously I relied daily on pills to increase my sexual potency. Being able to control my erection is a step forward for my life. When I have free time I always want to have sex. I would like to do it at least once or twice a day.”
Bernabe was previously filmed performing a fascist salute and chanting ‘Duce, Duce’ while holding Olimpia and dressed in a full Lazio kit in 2021. Bernabe reportedly told Italian newspaper II Messaggero he was “proud” to support described far-right Spanish political party Vox “like many footballer friends of mine”.
“I did it and I don’t regret it because I admire Mussolini, he did great things for Italy, as Franco did for Spain,” he said in the same interview. “I admire both of them and I’m proud of it.”