By: Perry B. Zordyu
SPAIN – Barcelona rising star Lamine Yamal is under investigation by the Spanish government following allegations that individuals with dwarfism were hired to work at his 18th birthday party.
The Spanish Ministry of Social Rights has formally requested prosecutors—alongside the Office for Combating Hate Crimes—to determine whether the country’s disability laws were violated.
If found guilty, the young footballer could face a fine of up to €1 million.
Spain’s disability law strictly prohibits actions that mock or denigrate individuals with disabilities. According to reports, Yamal allegedly employed people with dwarfism for entertainment purposes during his celebration on Sunday.
Jesús Martín, Spain’s Director General for Disability Rights, expressed concern over the implications of such behavior, especially from public figures.
In an interview with Spanish news agency EFE, Martín said, “We are concerned that people with money and power believe they are beyond the reach of the law. The law applies equally to everyone—both the humble and the powerful.”
He emphasized the potential social impact, particularly given Yamal’s influence on youth as a high-profile footballer. “As someone with a large following, Yamal’s actions can have a ripple effect. Hosting a party like this sends the wrong message to impressionable young fans,” Martín added.
The Association of People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism has also condemned the alleged incident and has threatened legal action against the Barcelona starlet.
At the time of writing, Yamal has not publicly responded to the allegations. Investigations are ongoing.
