Lamine Yamal Faces Legal Threat Over Birthday Party as Critics Call Celebrations 'Unacceptable'
FC Barcelona's rising star Lamine Yamal faces allegations of "discriminatory behavior" and potential legal action following reports that he employed individuals with dwarfism for entertainment purposes during his private 18th birthday celebration.
The young talent officially turned 18 on Sunday, July 13, coinciding with Barcelona's first team's return to preseason preparations. Prior to beginning Hansi Flick's demanding fitness program, the youngster was seen marking his milestone birthday through multiple celebrations throughout the weekend.
ADEE, the Spanish Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias causing Dwarfism, alleges that during one of these events, "individuals with dwarfism were contracted exclusively for entertainment and promotional purposes".
Through a forceful public statement, the organization announced their intention to "pursue legal and social measures to protect the dignity of individuals with disabilities".
The ADEE highlighted that Spain's comprehensive Disability Rights Law explicitly forbids "performances or leisure activities that exploit people with disabilities or other conditions to generate mockery, ridicule, or contempt from audiences in ways that violate fundamental human dignity".
Carolina Puente, ADEE's President, declared: "It is completely unacceptable that in today's world, people with dwarfism are still being exploited as entertainment at private gatherings, particularly when such incidents involve prominent public figures like Lamine Yamal."
"When someone with significant social influence engages in such behavior, the harm is amplified because it sends a message to society—particularly to younger generations—that discriminatory practices are tolerable," Puente continued.
Yamal has not yet addressed these allegations publicly. However, he did share portions of the celebration on his social media platforms this week. Along with a minute-long video capturing moments from the evening, the talented forward uploaded multiple photographs showing himself and attendees throughout different phases of the celebration. Yamal appeared in an elegant white double-breasted suit while holding what seemed to be a diamond-studded walking stick.
Fellow Barcelona players Robert Lewandowski and Gavi were also visible among the party guests.