New Delhi: Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal has landed in legal trouble after he reportedly hired a group of people with dwarfism as entertainers during his controversial 18th birthday party last week. Yamal, one of the rising stars in world football, threw a wild birthday bash attended by a number of his Barcelona teammates, popular YouTubers, influencers, musicians, and models, among others.
The celebrations took place at a private event in Olivella, approximately 50 kilometres west of Barcelona. Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights has asked the country’s prosecutor’s office to investigate the birthday party after a complaint from the Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism (ADEE).
The AIDEE filed a complaint after videos surfaced on social media showing a group of people with dwarfism heading towards the location of Yamal’s birthday party. The guests were reportedly not allowed to carry their phones to the party and were not allowed to film anything. In its complaint, the AIDEE said that it publicly denounces hiring people with dwarfism as part of entertainment.
The organisation stated that they have taken legal action as such action “perpetuates stereotypes, fuels discrimination and undermines the image and rights” of people with dwarfism. The AIDEE also called the hiring of dwarf people as entertainers ‘unacceptable’ in the 21st century.
A performer revealed what happened at Yamal’s birthday party
One of the performers who was part of Lamal’s birthday bash spoke to Spanish radio station RAC1, where he revealed no one was disrespected at the event and that the artists who worked at the party were aware of the legalities. He also revealed that the performers were hired to distribute drinks and perform magic tricks, among others.
“No one disrespected us. We were allowed to work in peace,” the performer told RAC1.
“I don’t understand why there’s so much hype. We’re normal people, who do what we want, in an absolutely legal way. We work as entertainers. Why can’t we do it? Because of our physical condition? We know what our limit is and we will never exceed it: we are not fairground monkeys,” he added.
On the football pitch, Yamal enjoyed a stellar season with FC Barcelona in 2024-25. He played a key role in helping the club win the domestic treble by lifting the La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup last season. Despite turning 18 this month, Yamal is one of the strongest contenders to win the Ballon d’Or in 2025 alongside PSG star Ousmane Dembele.