Barcelona football sensation Lamine Yamal is currently under investigation following allegations that he hired people with dwarfism as entertainers for his recent 18th birthday celebration.
Yamal’s Birthday Bash Under Scrutiny
The lavish party, held last Sunday at a rented property in Olivella, a town northwest of Barcelona, drew a crowd of high-profile guests. Among them were many of Yamal’s Barcelona teammates, along with various YouTubers and social media influencers.
However, the festivities have now led to a formal complaint. The Directorate General for People with Disabilities, a division of Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights, has reportedly filed a legal complaint concerning the entertainment provided.
The Directorate General has asked the Prosecutor’s Office to investigate. Their aim is to determine whether the law, and consequently the rights of people with disabilities, were violated during the event.
Disability Advocates Speak Out
The Association of People with Achondroplasia and other Skeletal Dysplasias in Spain (ADEE) has strongly condemned the alleged hiring. They described the practice as “unacceptable in the 21st century.”
ADEE publicly denounced the act, announcing that they would pursue legal action. They argue that such entertainment “perpetuates stereotypes, fuels discrimination, and undermines the image and rights” of people with disabilities.
The association cited Spain’s General Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This law expressly prohibits “shows or recreational activities in which people with disabilities or other circumstances are used to provoke mockery, ridicule, or derision from the public in a manner contrary to the respect due to human dignity.”
A Performer’s Perspective Emerges
Adding a different dimension to the controversy, an individual who claims to have been one of the performers at the party has come forward. Speaking anonymously to Spanish radio station RAC1, the artist defended Yamal.
“No-one disrespected us, we worked in peace,” the performer stated. They expressed confusion over the public outcry.
“We’re normal people, who do what we want, in an absolutely legal way,” the artist continued. “We work as entertainers. Why can’t we do it? Because of our physical condition? We know what our limit is and we will never exceed it: we are not fairground monkeys.”
- Lamine Yamal is being investigated over allegations of hiring entertainers with dwarfism for his 18th birthday party.
- Spain’s Directorate General for People with Disabilities has filed a formal complaint, prompting a legal inquiry.
- Disability rights organizations, like ADEE, have condemned the practice as discriminatory and in violation of Spanish law.
- Conversely, an unnamed performer from the event claims they felt no disrespect and were working legally.
This incident has ignited a significant debate in Spain regarding the appropriate portrayal and employment of individuals with disabilities in public and private events. The ongoing investigation will be crucial in determining the legal implications and setting future precedents.
