Spanish authorities to investigate Lamine Yamal over dwarfism row

Barcelona's rising star, Lamine Yamal, is under official scrutiny after his recent 18th birthday bash led to a formal complaint from a prominent disability rights organization. The controversy stems from allegations that Yamal hired individuals with dwarfism to perform at the private party held in Olivella, a town near Barcelona.

The Association of People with Achondroplasia and other Skeletal Dysplasias in Spain (ADEE) publicly condemned the alleged act, labeling it "unacceptable in the 21st century." The ADEE has filed a legal complaint, prompting the Directorate General for People with Disabilities, part of Spain's Ministry of Social Rights, to ask the Prosecutor's Office to investigate. Their aim is to determine if the nation's laws protecting the rights of people with disabilities have been violated.

The ADEE asserts that hiring individuals with dwarfism for entertainment "perpetuates stereotypes, fuels discrimination, and undermines the image and rights" of people with disabilities. They further highlighted that such actions could breach the general law on the rights of persons with disabilities, which explicitly prohibits "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."

However, a different perspective emerged from an anonymous entertainer who claimed to be present at the party. In an interview with Spanish radio station RAC1, the performer defended Yamal, stating, "No-one disrespected us, we worked in peace." The entertainer questioned the "hype" surrounding the event, emphasizing their right to work as performers regardless of their physical condition, stating, "We're normal people, who do what we want, in an absolutely legal way." The performer clarified that their act lasted an hour, after which they joined the party, engaging in dancing, distributing drinks, and performing magic.

When approached for comment, a Barcelona spokesperson stated the club was "not in a position to comment on an act that falls strictly within the private sphere," but indicated their stance could be reevaluated once more "concrete information" becomes available.

This incident has thrust the issue of ethical entertainment and the dignity of individuals with disabilities into the spotlight, raising important questions about societal perceptions and legal protections.