Spanish government to investigate Barcelona star’s birthday party after allegations of dwarf exploitation.
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal is facing an investigation regarding the presence of a group of people with dwarfism as entertainers at his 18th birthday party last weekend, Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights told the AFP news agency.
The winger celebrated with a private event in Olivella, about 50km (30 miles) west of Barcelona, which the ministry asked the prosecutor’s office to investigate after a complaint from the Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism (ADEE).
Yamal turned 18 on Sunday, the day after his party on Saturday night, which many of his teammates attended along with celebrities from the music world, including Bizarrap and Bad Gyal.
“The ADEE has filed a complaint, so this ministry has asked the prosecutor’s office to investigate to see if the law has been violated and, therefore, the rights of people with disabilities,” the Social Rights Ministry told AFP on Tuesday.
ADEE “publicly denounces the hiring of people with dwarfism as part of the entertainment” and said it would take legal action because it “perpetuates stereotypes, fuels discrimination and undermines the image and rights” of people with disabilities.
Guests were not permitted to film at the event, but a video emerged of a group of people with dwarfism heading into the party.
“No one disrespected us. We were allowed to work in peace,” one of the performers told Catalan radio station RAC1 on the condition of anonymity, adding that four performers were in the group.
“We’re normal people who dedicate ourselves to what we love doing in an absolutely legal way. …
“For a couple of years, these people [the ADEE] have wanted to harm us. They want to prevent us from doing what we like, but they have not offered any work or training to those who are affected. …
“All this fuss has come about purely because it was Lamine Yamal’s party.”
The performer said they dance, deliver drinks and do magic tricks to entertain guests at the events they work at.
Yamal is a candidate to win the Ballon d’Or after helping Barcelona to a domestic treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup last season.
The Spain international has scored 25 goals for the club in 106 appearances, having made his debut at just 15 years old in 2023.
Yamal’s representatives did not respond to a request for comment.
Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal is one of the most exciting young players in world football [File: Albert Gea/Reuters]
