Recently, Italy’s Lazio Football Club announced the dismissal of Juan Bernabe, who had long served as the manager of the eagle mascot “Olimpia.” This decision stemmed from Bernabe’s inappropriate sharing of videos and images involving his private body parts on social media, which not only shocked the club but also sparked widespread criticism from all sectors of society.
As the falconer of “Olimpia,” Bernabe had been an integral part of Lazio Club for years. His pre-game tradition of flying the eagle across the stadium provided fans with a unique match-watching experience. However, his recent improper behavior on social media severely breached social ethics and professional ethics, causing significant negative impacts on the club and its fans.
Lazio Club strongly condemned the act and swiftly took disciplinary action, terminating Bernabe’s employment. The club stated in its announcement that these photos were “shocking” and emphasized that it was impossible to associate the club’s historical symbol with such an individual. This decision received widespread support from fans, who believed that Bernabe’s behavior had severely damaged the club’s image and reputation.
Even more shocking is that Bernabe had engaged in even more severe misconduct in the past. According to reports, he was suspended by the club in 2021 for performing a fascist salute at the end of a match against Inter Milan. This behavior not only violated sportsmanship but also showed ignorance and disrespect for history. When explaining his actions, Bernabe stated that he admired Benito Mussolini and believed he had made “great contributions” to Italy. Such remarks undoubtedly whitewash and glorify fascism, severely violating fundamental human values and moral norms.
Bernabe defended his actions by claiming that he intended to raise awareness about the issue and had shared the videos on his private social media accounts. However, he clearly did not realize that videos and images of private body parts are not suitable for public sharing on social media. This behavior not only violated his own privacy rights but also caused great discomfort to others visually and psychologically.
Furthermore, Bernabe also claimed to have grown up in an open-minded nudist family and believed that nudity was normal. However, this belief cannot excuse his sharing inappropriate content on social media. As a public figure, he should pay more attention to his words and actions to avoid adverse effects on society.
In summary, Bernabe’s behavior severely breached social ethics, professional ethics, and fundamental human values and moral norms. Lazio Club’s decision to sack him was correct and necessary, not only to maintain the club’s image and reputation but also to send a clear signal to society that any behavior violating morality and the law will be severely condemned and punished. At the same time, we urge all netizens to consciously abide by online ethics and jointly create a healthy and civilized online environment.
