Barcelona and Spain star Lamine Yamal is facing legal action from ADEE (The Association of People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias) after hiring individuals with dwarfism to perform at his 18th birthday party, an act that has been publicly condemned by disability rights organisations in Spain.
ADEE, a member of the Spanish Confederation of People with Physical and Organic Disabilities (COCEMFE), announced that it will take both legal and social action against the rising football star. The group called Lamine Yamal’s decision to use people with dwarfism for party entertainment “intolerable,” accusing the act of perpetuating damaging stereotypes and violating the dignity of individuals with disabilities.
“It’s unacceptable that in the 21st century, people with dwarfism continue to be used as entertainment at private parties—and even more serious when these incidents involve public figures like Lamine Yamal,” said ADEE president Carolina Puente in an official statement. “The dignity and rights of our community are not entertainment for anyone, under any circumstances.”
The statement added that when someone with Yamal’s level of fame engages in such behavior, the impact is magnified: “It conveys to society—especially to young people—that discrimination is acceptable. We will not remain silent.”
The action comes under the scope of Spain’s General Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which prohibits any entertainment that uses individuals with disabilities to provoke ridicule or public mockery, in violation of their dignity.
Lamine Yamal, one of the world’s brightest young footballers, had been celebrating his 18th birthday surrounded by friends and family as he prepares to take on an even more prominent role at Barcelona next season. His off-season has been full of controversy, but Barcelona fans will be hoping that once first-team training begins, the focus will shift back onto football.
As the legal process begins, neither Lamine Yamal nor FC Barcelona have publicly responded to the confirmation of legal proceedings.
The winger will be hoping for a quick resolution to this lawsuit as he looks to build on a campaign that truly announced him to the world. For Barcelona fans, the hope would be that this setback for Yamal is an anomaly rather than the norm for every off-season.