Barcelona football prodigy Lamine Yamal has come under scrutiny from Spanish authorities following the presence of a group of entertainers with dwarfism at his recent 18th birthday celebration.
Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights confirmed on Tuesday that the incident is now under investigation by the prosecutor’s office, following a formal complaint lodged by the Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism (ADEE).
The celebration took place last Saturday in Olivella, a private location about 50 kilometers west of Barcelona. The event, attended by Yamal’s Barcelona teammates and high-profile figures from the music scene including Bizarrap and Bad Gyal, was meant to mark the winger’s milestone birthday, which officially fell on July 13.
However, controversy emerged after footage surfaced showing several individuals with dwarfism entering the venue as part of the entertainment lineup. ADEE, the advocacy organization behind the complaint, strongly condemned what it described as a “humiliating” practice.
In a statement, the ministry told AFP that “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 (have been).”
ADEE emphasized that hiring people with dwarfism for entertainment at parties reinforces “harmful stereotypes,” and declared their intention to pursue legal action. “It perpetuates stereotypes, fuels discrimination, and undermines the image and rights” of those with disabilities, the organization said.
Despite a no-filming policy at the party, a clip made its way online showing the entertainers arriving. One of the performers later spoke anonymously on Catalan radio station RAC1, defending the group’s participation and rejecting any accusations of exploitation.
“No one disrespected us, we were allowed to work in peace,” the performer said. “We’re normal people who dedicate ourselves to what we love doing in an absolutely legal way.”
They accused ADEE of attempting to limit their professional freedom. “For a couple of years these people have wanted to harm us… they have not offered any work or training to those who are affected.”
The performer explained that their usual roles at events include dancing, serving drinks, and performing magic tricks, stating, “All this fuss has come about purely because it was Lamine Yamal’s party.”
Adding to the night’s entertainment was Dominican rapper Chimbala, who is of short stature himself. He posted a video on Instagram singing alongside Yamal on stage while Barcelona teammates Gavi and Alejandro Balde danced nearby. “Lamine Yamal at 18, the best player in the world, singing my song ‘Abusadora,’ thank you for inviting me,” Chimbala wrote.
Yamal, widely considered one of the brightest young talents in world football, has enjoyed a meteoric rise since his debut at 15 in 2023. Now a key figure for both Barcelona and Spain, he has already notched 25 goals in 106 appearances and played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s domestic treble triumph last season, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.
The forward is seen as a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or, further cementing his status as one of the game’s elite young talents. As of now, Yamal and his representatives have not commented publicly on the investigation.
What you should know
Lamine Yamal is under investigation by Spanish authorities after entertainers with dwarfism performed at his birthday party, triggering a complaint from a disability rights group.
The performers defended their work as voluntary and legitimate, while the Ministry of Social Rights asked prosecutors to assess whether any legal or human rights violations occurred.
