Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal has been criticised and is facing a potential investigation over the presence of a group of dwarves at his 18th birthday party.
Jesus Martin Blanco, the director general for the rights of persons with disabilities in Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights, has called for an investigation, while the Association of People with Achondroplasia and other Skeletal Dysplasias in Spain (ADEE) condemned what it called “a violation of ethical values” and said it will look to take legal action.
Yamal turned 18 on Sunday, July 13 and hosted a private party to celebrate the following day.
The party took place at a country house he rented in Olivella, a small town 50 kilometres north west of Barcelona. Several celebrities, including musicians, YouTubers, influencers, attended, with Robert Lewandowski, Alejandro Balde, Gavi and Raphinha among Yamal’s team-mates present.
Some media gathered at the entrance of the venue, which had a security presence inside. A group of dwarves was filmed heading into the party, which has sparked the controversy.
In a statement published on its website, the ADEE criticised the presence of dwarves at the party, saying “these actions violate not only current legislation but also the fundamental ethical values of a society that seeks to be egalitarian and respectful”.
Jesus Martin told Spanish news agency EFE, via Cadena Ser, that he was concerned that “a guy who has so many followers, an influencer for young people, is throwing this kind of party that can have a knock-on effect on young people”.
“We are concerned that people with money, people with power think they can get away with it,” he added. “The law is for everyone, for the humble and for the powerful.”
On Monday afternoon, Catalan radio station RAC1 broadcast an interview it said was from one of the dwarves at the party, whose voice was distorted and whose name was not revealed to protect their identity.
“We are only asking they let us work,” the person said. “We have our own contracts, we are normal people, self-employed and do everything legally. I don’t know why there’s so much noise right now.
“What the association is doing right now is discrediting our work as professionals.
“We do this job because we want to. Nobody is forcing us to. We like to be artists, we have been dedicating to this for a long time, and over the last two or three years we’ve experienced more noise or questions around our job.
“Nobody from the association have reached us, and with all this criticism what they are doing is screwing with our jobs. They don’t offer solutions either.
“We always agree with our clients that if we see one single sign of disrespect towards our activity, the show ends. I’ve never experienced a lack of respect of that type while working so far.
“There were four of us in the party. In the show that we offer, we go the place and dance with the people, we deliver shots and drinks around the place, we do magic tricks … We entertain and try to make people have a fun time.”
In its statement, the ADEE says that “the general law on the rights of persons with disabilities expressly prohibits the following practices: ‘Shows or recreational activities in which people with disabilities or other circumstances are used to provoke mockery, ridicule, or derision from the public in a manner contrary to the respect due to human dignity are prohibited’.”
The Athletic has approached Barcelona, the representatives of Yamal and the Spanish Prosecutor’s Office for comment.
Yamal signed a six-year contract in May ahead of his 18th birthday, making him one of the club’s top earners, after another season of impressive contributions.
The teenager recorded 25 assists and 18 goals as Barcelona won La Liga and the Copa del Rey, after helping Spain to their triumph at the European Championship last summer. He was named player of the tournament at the Euros, as well as winning the Kopa Trophy and Golden Boy awards last year.
(Photo: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
