Barcelona and Spain star Lamine Yamal is under scrutiny after Spain’s Ministry for Social Rights asked authorities to investigate potential breaches of disability laws at his 18th birthday party.
Lamine Yamal, who celebrated his birthday on July 13 with a private event just outside Barcelona, is alleged to have hired individuals with dwarfism as entertainers—something disability rights groups say may violate laws that prohibit using people with disabilities for mockery or entertainment.
Although guests were asked not to record the event, videos surfaced on social media showing performers with dwarfism arriving at the venue. In response, ADEE (The Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism) condemned the act, saying it “violates current laws and fundamental ethical values” and announced plans to take “legal and social action to protect the dignity of people with disabilities.”
The Ministry has now officially requested Spain’s Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Ombudsman, and the Office for Combating Hate Crimes to review whether Lamine Yamal’s party broke any laws. If found guilty, the Barcelona star faces a fine of up to 1 million euros.
However, one of the performers at the event has spoken out anonymously in defense of their work. “No one disrespected us; we were allowed to work in peace,” the performer told RAC1. “I don’t understand why it’s become such a big deal. We’re normal people who dedicate ourselves to what we love doing in an absolutely legal way.”
The performer further criticized ADEE, saying they are trying to stop people with dwarfism from working as entertainers without offering alternative support: “All this fuss has come about purely because it was Lamine Yamal’s party.”
Lamine Yamal or Barcelona have not publicly commented on the matter.
The teenager returned to pre-season training with Barcelona on Sunday, just a day after the party. The 18-year-old had an outstanding season with the club, helping them win La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Supercopa. He is one of the favourites for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, and his role with the team is expected to grow even more in the coming season.
The legal review is ongoing and could lead to further action, depending on what investigators conclude about the nature of the party and whether Spanish disability rights laws were violated.
Barcelona’s first pre-season fixture is scheduled for July 27 where all eyes will be Lamine Yamal but this time for very different reasons.
