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Barcelona’s teen sensation Lamine Yamal is facing threats of legal action after reportedly hiring people with dwarfism to perform at his 18th birthday party.
The footballing sensation celebrated his birthday over the weekend, throwing a star-studded event.
While the use of mobile phones was banned inside the party venue, images leaked to social media showed a group of people of short stature arriving at the party, quickly going viral and drawing backlash for the Barcelona starlet.
The images enraged Spain’s Association of People with Achondroplasia and other Skeletal Dysplasia (ADEE), who condemned Yamal, accusing him of using people’s disabilities as entertainment.
They’re now threatening to take legal and social action against the player, already considered one of world football’s best wingers despite his youth.
In a statement, ADEE says Yamal’s actions were “intolerable” as they “perpetuate stereotypes, fuel discrimination and undermine the image and rights of those with achondroplasia or other skeletal dysplasia, as well as all people with disabilities.”
The organisation’s decision to pursue Yamal legally stems from its desire to “safeguard the dignity of people with disabilities”.
ADEE says the problem is not isolated with the Barcelona player, but a societal one. The body, a member of Spain’s Confederation of People with Physical and Organic Disabilities (COCEMFE), stated that they are working to eradicate the culture of objectification of people with dwarfism.
“It’s unacceptable that in the 21st century, people with dwarfism continue to be used as entertainment at private parties, and even more serious when these incidents involve public figures like Lamine Yamal,” said Carolina Puente, ADEE president.
“The dignity and rights of our community are not entertainment for anyone, under any circumstances,” she added.
There have been no remarks from Yamal or his camp on the ADEE escalations.
Yamal, who turned 18 on Sunday, came up through Barcelona’s La Masia academy before making his senior team debut at the age of 15. He became a regular starter in the latter part of the 2023/24 season.
He has already enjoyed considerable success, having won the 2024 Euros with Spain last year. In his first full season on Barcelona’s first team, he’s won three domestic titles, including Spain’s top flight, La Liga, as well as the Copa del Rey and Supercopa.
He’s also been an instrumental part of Barcelona’s Champions League run, which saw them eliminated by Inter Milan 7-6 on aggregate in the semi-finals.
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