Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights has requested that the prosecutor’s office look into Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal after allegations surfaced that he employed individuals with dwarfism for entertainment at his 18th birthday party.
Yamal celebrated on Sunday at a rented venue in Olivella, a small town located 50 kilometers northwest of Barcelona, with guests that included YouTubers, influencers, and several teammates from Barcelona.
It is claimed that Yamal hired a group of entertainers with dwarfism, an action that the Association of People with Achondroplasia and other Skeletal Dysplasias in Spain (ADEE) has condemned as “unacceptable in the 21st century.”
“The ADEE has filed a complaint, prompting this ministry to request an investigation from the prosecutor’s office to determine if any laws have been broken, thereby infringing on the rights of individuals with disabilities,” the Ministry of Social Rights told the AFP news agency.
The ADEE publicly criticized the hiring of entertainers with dwarfism, stating that it would pursue legal action as it “perpetuates stereotypes, fuels discrimination, and undermines the image and rights” of people with disabilities.
In its statement, the ADEE emphasized: “These actions not only violate current laws but also the fundamental ethical values of a society striving for equality and respect.”
The general law regarding the rights of persons with disabilities explicitly prohibits practices that involve using individuals with disabilities for the purpose of mockery or ridicule, which goes against the respect owed to human dignity.
However, Spanish radio station RAC1 aired an interview with someone claiming to be one of the entertainers at the party, who defended Yamal.
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“No one disrespected us; we worked peacefully,” said the anonymous performer. “I don’t understand why there’s so much fuss. We’re normal people doing what we want, legally.”
“We work as entertainers. Why shouldn’t we be able to do that because of our physical condition? We know our limits and would never overstep them: we are not circus animals.”
The performer mentioned that their act lasted an hour, after which the entertainers mingled with the party guests.
“We danced, served drinks, performed magic—there were many types of shows. Everyone had a great time.”
When reporters sought comments from Barcelona, a spokesperson stated that the club was “not in a position to comment on an act that falls strictly within the private sphere,” but noted that their stance would be reevaluated once “concrete information” is available.
