Barcelona and Spain star Lamine Yamal is under investigation by Spanish authorities following a complaint about the presence of performers with dwarfism at his recent 18th birthday party, the Ministry of Social Rights confirmed to AFP on Tuesday.
The probe stems from a formal complaint filed by the Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism (ADEE), which condemned the inclusion of people with dwarfism as part of the entertainment at Yamal’s private celebration last weekend.
The event took place in Olivella, about 50 kilometers west of Barcelona, on the eve of Yamal’s 18th birthday, which he officially marked on July 13. The party was attended by several Barcelona teammates and prominent music artists, including Bizarrap, Bad Gyal, and Dominican rapper Chimbala.
In a statement to AFP, the Ministry of Social Rights said “The ADEE has filed a complaint, so this ministry has asked the prosecutor’s office to investigate whether any laws were violated and if the rights of people with disabilities were infringed.”
The ADEE criticized the use of individuals with dwarfism as party entertainers, stating that the practice “perpetuates stereotypes, fuels discrimination, and undermines the image and rights” of people with disabilities. The organization said it intends to pursue legal action.
While guests were reportedly barred from filming during the event, video footage surfaced showing individuals with dwarfism entering the venue.
One of the performers, who spoke anonymously to Catalan radio station RAC1, defended their participation in the event.
“No one disrespected us—we were allowed to work in peace,” the performer said. “We’re normal people doing what we love, legally and professionally.”
The performer added that they regularly entertain at events by dancing, serving drinks, and performing magic tricks. They criticized ADEE’s campaign, accusing the organization of attempting to silence their profession without offering alternative employment or training opportunities.
“This fuss is only happening because it was Lamine Yamal’s party.”
Chimbala, a Dominican artist of short stature who performed at the party, shared a video of himself on stage with Yamal, while Barcelona players Gavi and Alejandro Balde were seen dancing nearby.
“Lamine Yamal at 18, the best player in the world, singing my song ‘Abusadora’—thank you for inviting me,” Chimbala wrote on Instagram.
Yamal, one of football’s brightest young talents, is a frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or after helping Barcelona secure a domestic treble last season—winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. The winger has scored 25 goals in 106 appearances for the club since making his debut at just 15 years old in 2023.
His representatives have not commented publicly on the investigation.
AFP
