Top Story: Spain’s Government Calls for Probe into Lamine Yamal Over Alleged Use of Performers with Dwarfism at Birthday Party
Barcelona, Spain – Spanish football sensation Lamine Yamal is at the center of growing controversy after the Ministry of Social Rights requested an official investigation into reports that the Barcelona winger hired entertainers with dwarfism for his 18th birthday party.
The event, held on Sunday at a rented villa in Olivella, near Barcelona, included YouTubers, influencers, and several of Yamal’s Barcelona teammates. According to multiple reports, a group of performers with dwarfism were hired as part of the party’s entertainment — a decision that has sparked backlash from disability rights advocates and now triggered legal scrutiny.
The Association of People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias in Spain (ADEE) described the reported entertainment as “unacceptable in the 21st century” and has filed a formal legal complaint.
In a statement to BBC Sport, Spain’s Directorate General for People with Disabilities confirmed it had referred the case to the Prosecutor’s Office to determine whether anti-discrimination laws had been violated.
“These actions violate not only current legislation but also the fundamental ethical values of a society that seeks to be egalitarian and respectful,” the ADEE said.
According to Spain’s General Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, it is explicitly prohibited to use people with disabilities for “shows or recreational activities” intended to provoke ridicule, mockery, or derision.
Performer Defends Participation
Amid the growing controversy, Spanish radio station RAC1 broadcast an interview with one of the entertainers reportedly present at the event. The performer, who asked to remain anonymous, defended the booking and said the group had not felt disrespected.
“No one disrespected us. We worked in peace,” they said. “We are normal people, who do what we want, in an absolutely legal way. Why can’t we do it because of our physical condition? We know our limits — we are not fairground monkeys.”
They added the performance lasted about an hour and included dancing, drink service, and magic tricks, after which the group stayed to enjoy the rest of the party.
Club Barcelona Stays Silent for Now
When approached by BBC Sport, a FC Barcelona spokesperson declined to comment, citing the matter as “strictly within the private sphere,” but noted the club could reassess its stance once verified details emerge.
A Growing Public Debate
The case has ignited debate across Spain, with disability rights advocates emphasizing the importance of dignity and representation, while some within the entertainment community push back against what they view as paternalistic restrictions on performers’ autonomy.
While no formal charges have been filed, the Prosecutor’s Office is expected to review the legal complaint in the coming days. For now, the spotlight remains on one of football’s most promising young stars — and the cultural tensions emerging around inclusion, ethics, and entertainment.
