Lazio have released a statement after sacking the eagle handler who has been part of their pre-match entertainment for over a decade.
Juan Bernabe, who has flown Olimpia (a Canadian golden eagle) around the Stadio Olimpico since 2010, made headlines after sharing images of his penile prosthesis implant surgery online.
The father of two lost a testicle following an accident over three decades ago and was operated on in Rome by Gabriele Antonini – who currently works as a urologist in Lazio’s medical staff.
The Spaniard generated controversy across Italy for sharing explicit images of the post-operative period on social media.
This included several photographs of his genitalia from different angles and were shared by Italian outlets Reppublica and Iltempo.
Lazio have now confirmed the club have split all ties with Bernabe after claiming his behaviour is incompatible with their values.
A statement on the club’s website read: “SS Lazio Spa, shocked to see the photographic and video images of Mr. Juan Bernabe and to read the statements that accompanied them, announces that it has interrupted, 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 the fans, but believes that it is not possible to be associated, all of us, and especially with the historical symbol of the eagle, with a subject that, with its initiative, has made the continuation of the relationship inadmissible.”
This isn’t the first time that Bernabe has found himself embroiled in controversy, having come close to being sacked four years ago.
In 2021, Bernabe was suspended by Lazio after he was caught on camera making what appeared to be fascist salutes and singing in praise of former Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, as per the Times.
Lazio — whose club crest features a golden eagle — have historical links to the far-right and have previously been sanctioned for supporters displaying fascist imagery.
Bernabe has since responded to his latest criticism by claiming he doesn’t regret sharing images of his penile prosthesis implant.
In response to his critics, he told La Reppublica: “The operation does not make me a porn star, I had a health problem.”
On the reaction of Lazio president Claudio Lotito, he added: “The president? He is not angry about the photos; he is also a man.”
Bernabe later told Italian radio show La Zanzara: “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 operation, I did it to be as fit as I was when I was young . My erection is natural,” he continued, “But with this device I press a button that allows me to perfectly control both the erection and the timing.
“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 only published it to let people know about the operation.”
When asked if he regrets putting it online, he responded: “Absolutely not, I’ve never regretted anything, let alone doing it for something that has a medical purpose.”
“Nudity is normal because I grew up in a naturist family and with an open mind, I don’t understand what the relationship is between my photo and pornography”.
“Everyone in the world 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 like ‘Cialis’ 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”.
He continued, as reported by Corriere Roma: “There’s nothing wrong with it, it’s an organ like many others we have.”
