Italian soccer club fires falconer for posting explicit photos online
- Juan Bernabé, falconer for Italian soccer club Lazio, was fired after posting explicit content on social media.
- The club believed his actions were unacceptable and tarnished their image, particularly in light of a previous controversy in 2021.
- Lazio expressed sorrow over losing their eagle mascot but prioritized their historical reputation and brand integrity.
In Italy, social media has played a significant role in influencing public and private lives. Recently, Juan Bernabé, who was responsible for handling the eagle mascot for the soccer club Lazio, found himself at the center of controversy. Bernabé had previously been suspended in 2021 for performing a fascist salute, making this recent incident particularly troublesome for the club. Having undergone surgery for a prosthetic penis, Bernabé chose to share pictures of his implant on his private social media account. This decision drew strong disapproval from Lazio, who felt that it tarnished the reputation of their brand and historical symbol, the live eagle named Olimpia. Consequently, the club issued a statement expressing their sorrow over the departure of Bernabé due to his actions, noting that the association with him had become unacceptable. They emphasized their concern for fans who would miss the eagle in subsequent home games. The club's management underscored their commitment to maintaining the dignity of their institution and the mascot, leading to the immediate termination of Bernabé's contract. This incident has sparked conversations around professionalism and personal expression among employees in the sports industry. Bernabé's case serves as a reminder of the fine line that exists in social media usage, particularly for those representing public brands and organizations. As news of the firing circulated, it raised questions about the expectations placed on employees in the realm of social media and the implications of their personal choices. The incident also highlighted the ongoing struggles within sports organizations to balance personal freedoms with the need to uphold public image. While Bernabé's previous actions had already put him in a precarious position within the club, this latest controversy proved to be the final straw for Lazio's management who had limited tolerance for behavior that could compromise their brand's integrity.