By: Kwame Bediako
A Spanish disability rights group has condemned the reported hiring of people with dwarfism as entertainment at Barcelona football star Lamine Yamal’s recent 18th birthday party, vowing to take legal action against what it calls a discriminatory practice. The young winger, who rose to fame after helping Spain win the European Championship last year, celebrated his 18th birthday on Saturday, 12 July, 2025, with an extravagant event featuring guests from the music industry, including Bizarrap, Bad Gyal, Quevedo, as well as his Barcelona teammates and social media influencers.
The Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias (ADEE) issued a statement strongly criticizing the use of individuals with dwarfism as spectacles at the party. The organization warned that such actions reinforce harmful stereotypes and foster discrimination, undermining the dignity and rights of people with disabilities. ADEE highlighted that Spain’s disability rights law explicitly prohibits shows or recreational activities that involve people with disabilities in ways that provoke ridicule or degrade their dignity.
In response to the controversy, ADEE President Carolina Puente called the incident “unacceptable in the 21st century,” especially given the involvement of well-known public figures. Puente emphasized that using people with dwarfism for entertainment at private celebrations perpetuates discrimination and sets a damaging example for society. The organization has vowed to pursue legal channels to hold those responsible accountable and to raise public awareness about the issue.
The allegations have sparked debate across Spanish society, with many expressing concern over the continued use of people with disabilities as objects of amusement. While representatives for Lamine Yamal have yet to comment publicly on the accusations, the controversy is shining a spotlight on the broader challenges around disability rights and respect in social and cultural settings. Human rights advocates stress the importance of enforcing existing laws designed to protect people with disabilities from exploitation and ridicule.
This case highlights ongoing tensions in Spain regarding equal treatment and the inclusion of people with disabilities. Despite legal protections, disability rights groups warn that harmful practices persist, often normalized in entertainment or private events. ADEE’s promise of legal action may set an important precedent, reinforcing that the dignity of people with disabilities must be upheld, both in public life and private celebrations.
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