Handler of Lazio eagle mascot sacked for posting photos online of prosthetic penis after choosing to have implant
The eagle mascot will be absent from the football club's stadium in Rome after handler Juan Bernabe was sacked.
Wednesday 15 January 2025 10:50, UK
Fans of an Italian football club will be without their beloved eagle mascot Olympia flying overhead for a while - after its handler was sacked聽for posting photos of his prosthetic penis online.
Juan Bernabe, who was previously suspended after he was filmed performing a fascist salute at the end of a match, shared the explicit images and videos on his private social accounts after undergoing surgery.
The Spanish falconer had the penile implant operation for non-medical reasons.
In an interview with an Italian radio show, he added that he felt "very proud" and "more masculine" being part of Lazio football club.
The Serie A team sacked Mr Bernabe shortly afterwards.
"Shocked to see the photographic images and video of Mr Juan Bernabe and to read the statements that accompanied them, Lazio announces that it has stopped, with immediate effect, all relationship with this person, given the seriousness of his behaviour," the Rome club said in a statement.
"The club realises - and shares - the pain that the fans will feel at the loss of the eagle in the next home games, but believes that it is not possible to be associated... with a person who, by his own initiative, has made the continuation of the relationship unacceptable."
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The eagle - which symbolises ancient Rome - flies over Lazio's Stadio Olimpico before home games.
Mr Bernabe said he had no regrets about sharing the images.