**Lazio’s Former Eagle Mascot Handler Evicted After Lengthy Dispute Over Explicit Social Media Posts**
A dramatic dispute between Italian football club Lazio and its former mascot handler has reached a conclusion, months after the employee was dismissed for posting explicit content online. Juan Bernabé, who was responsible for training Lazio’s famous eagle mascot, Olympia, has now been evicted from the club’s training premises in Formello following legal intervention.
Bernabé had initially been sacked by the Serie A side in January, after he published images to his social media purporting to display a prosthetic penis. The content in question sparked outrage within the club hierarchy, who viewed his actions as incompatible with their values and professionalism. Despite immediate termination of his contract, Bernabé refused to vacate the accommodation provided to him at the training complex, leading to a protracted impasse between the two parties.
For half a year, the club attempted various approaches to persuade Bernabé to leave, all to no avail. Eventually, the matter was escalated through the legal system, and law enforcement was summoned to carry out an eviction. The removal was sanctioned by an order signed by a Judge from Tivoli Court, ensuring the process was conducted within the boundaries of the law.
In an official statement issued on Saturday, Lazio confirmed the eviction had been executed and clarified the reasons behind their actions. The club explained: “After numerous requests for voluntary departure, SS Lazio was compelled to engage appropriate authorities in order to safeguard its assets and the operational environment of its sports centre. Every action has been in full adherence to legal procedures, with the primary aim of maintaining order and dignity within our facilities.”
Amidst the controversy, Juan Bernabé publicly defended his decision to post the controversial images, stating the intention was to bring awareness to his medical procedure. Speaking to Italian radio, he explained: “I published it to give visibility to the intervention. I come from a naturist family and do not see why it should be associated with pornography.” Nevertheless, those comments failed to sway club officials, who viewed the material as detrimental to Lazio’s public image.
This episode is not the first time Bernabé has found himself embroiled in controversy during his tenure with the club. In 2021, he was suspended after reportedly giving a fascist salute and chanting ‘duce, duce’—a phrase historically linked to Benito Mussolini—following a match against Inter Milan. At the time, Bernabé remained unrepentant, and his remarks further complicated his standing with Lazio and supporters.
Despite the earlier incident, Bernabé had been reinstated because of his longstanding connection to Olympia the eagle, a beloved symbol for both the team and its fans. However, after the most recent controversy and subsequent legal standoff, Lazio has now severed all ties with their former handler.
The club is now reportedly in search of both a new mascot and falconer ahead of the 2025/26 football season. Among those rumoured as suitable successors is Nicola Pataleo, a well-known falconer with a significant following in the avian community. Pataleo is said to manage almost 50 birds of prey and has extensive experience, notably with three American bald eagles, the same species as Lazio’s iconic Olympia.
This case has stirred debate across the Italian football landscape regarding the conduct and public responsibilities of those associated with leading sports entities. It highlights the tension clubs can face when private behaviours of staff members begin to affect their reputation, particularly in the increasingly connected world of social media.
While Lazio seeks to move forward from these headline-making incidents, the affair serves as a cautionary tale for clubs and individuals alike, reinforcing the expectation that anyone associated with the club must adhere to its standards, both on and off the pitch. The hunt for a new handler continues, as does the hope for a more harmonious chapter in the club’s mascot legacy.