The controversy surrounding Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal’s 18th birthday party has escalated, with Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights requesting the country’s prosecutor’s office to investigate allegations that Yamal hired people with dwarfism as entertainers at the event. The party, held on Sunday at a rented property in Olivella, a town near Barcelona, reportedly included guests such as YouTubers, influencers, and several of Yamal’s Barcelona teammates.
The Association of People with Achondroplasia and other Skeletal Dysplasias in Spain (ADEE) has strongly condemned the hiring of people with dwarfism for entertainment purposes, labeling it as “unacceptable in the 21st century.” ADEE has filed a legal complaint, prompting the Directorate General for People with Disabilities, part of the Ministry of Social Rights, to ask the prosecutor’s office to investigate whether the law and the rights of people with disabilities were violated.
ADEE’s statement emphasized that such practices perpetuate harmful stereotypes, fuel discrimination, and undermine the dignity and rights of people with disabilities. It cited Spain’s general law on the rights of persons with disabilities, which explicitly prohibits shows or activities that use people with disabilities to provoke mockery or ridicule, contrary to human dignity.
However, a counter-perspective emerged when Spanish radio station RAC1 broadcast an interview with an anonymous entertainer who was reportedly present at the party. The entertainer defended Yamal, stating that they were not disrespected and that their work was conducted “in peace.” The performer argued that they are professionals who choose to work as entertainers and questioned why their physical condition should prevent them from doing so. They described the event as a one-hour performance involving dancing, drink distribution, and magic, after which they joined the party as guests.
Barcelona, when approached for comment by BBC Sport, stated that the club is “not in a position to comment on an act that falls strictly within the private sphere.” However, they added that their stance would be reassessed once “concrete information” is available.
The case has sparked a broader debate about the ethical implications of hiring people with dwarfism for entertainment purposes, balancing their right to work and autonomy against concerns about perpetuating stereotypes and discrimination. The prosecutor’s office’s investigation will likely determine whether any legal boundaries were crossed.
Leave a Reply