Lazio made a bold move on Monday by immediately terminating its contract with Juan Bernabé, the coach responsible for handling the club’s beloved eagle mascot, Olympia. This decision came after Bernabé posted a series of explicit images and videos on social media, showing his erect penis following surgery to address erectile dysfunction.
The club’s statement expressed shock and dismay, announcing that all relations with Bernabé had been severed. The statement read, “Lazio, shocked by the photographic and video images of Mr. Juan Bernabé and the statements that accompanied them, announces the immediate termination of all relations with him, given the seriousness of his behavior. While the club understands and shares the pain of the fans who will miss the eagle at upcoming home matches, we cannot, in good conscience, continue this association with a person who has made the continuation of our relationship impossible.”
Bernabé later explained that the procedure, which was performed by renowned urologist Gabriele Antonini, was necessary to address a problem resulting from a fall off a horse and previous health issues, including two carcinomas. According to the falconer, the surgery allowed him to “control the duration of his sexual relations.” The procedure was conducted by Antonini, a specialist recognized globally for his work in penile prosthesis implants, with over 2,500 successful surgeries both in Italy and abroad.
The video of Bernabé showcasing the results of his surgery went viral, triggering the strong response from Lazio. In the wake of the incident, Bernabé defended his actions. “I grew up in a healthy, open-minded family. We were always taught to embrace our bodies and sexuality. To me, my body is just like any other part of me. I come from Cádiz, Spain, where nudism is common. It’s natural for me to share this aspect of my life,” he told the newspaper Repubblica. He also expressed his intention behind posting the images, saying, “I wanted to encourage others who suffer from the same condition. It’s important to show men that there’s nothing shameful about seeking help for such issues.”
Bernabé continued, explaining how he hoped to provide strength to others facing similar struggles with erectile dysfunction, a topic often considered taboo in society. “This surgery doesn’t turn me into a porn star. It was a health issue that I needed to address. I shared my experience to help those in silence, like me, who feel ashamed about their condition,” he said.
However, this is not the first controversy to surround Bernabé. In 2021, he faced backlash for expressing admiration for the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, an incident that led to a temporary suspension from Lazio. Although Bernabé was reinstated, the incident raised eyebrows, and he has since attempted to separate that controversy from the current one. “I admire Mussolini, but that’s part of history. What’s happening now is about my health,” he remarked.
On the medical side, Dr. Antonini, the surgeon who performed the implant, provided insights into the procedure. He described the three-component hydraulic penile prosthesis as a revolutionary treatment for erectile dysfunction, particularly for men dealing with underlying conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, or cancer. The technique is minimally invasive and takes just 15 minutes to perform, offering men like Bernabé the chance to regain a fulfilling sexual experience.
While Bernabé’s actions sparked intense debate, the broader conversation highlights issues related to body image, sexuality, and health, as well as the challenges of navigating personal decisions in the public eye.
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