The Shocking Departure of Falconer Juan Bernabé from SS. Lazio
Italian football club SS. Lazio made headlines on Monday as they announced the immediate termination of their long-time falconer, Juan Bernabé. The decision came after Bernabé shared explicit content on his social media accounts, causing uproar among fans and the club.
For the past 15 years, Bernabé, a Spanish national, had been responsible for handling the club’s beloved eagle mascot, Olimpia. The majestic flight of Olimpia before each match at Rome’s Olympic Stadium had become a cherished tradition for Lazio supporters.
However, Bernabé’s controversial past caught up with him once again, as the club cited an incident in 2021 where he was suspended for making a fascist salute during a game at the Stadio Olimpico. This recent scandal involving explicit content on social media proved to be the final straw for SS. Lazio.
Despite understanding the disappointment fans would feel due to Olimpia’s absence from future matches, the club emphasized the need to sever ties with Bernabé, stating that his behavior had made it impossible to continue their relationship.
The timing of Bernabé’s dismissal, less than a week after SS. Lazio celebrated its 125th anniversary, added further drama to the situation.
Photo credit: ErreRoberto / Shutterstock.com
