Lamine Yamal Faces Legal Action Over Alleged Use of People With Dwarfism as Party Entertainment

Barcelona football star Lamine Yamal is facing mounting backlash after allegations surfaced that people with dwarfism were hired as entertainment for his 18th birthday party.

The lavish celebration, held Saturday night at a private villa and attended by over 200 guests—including friends, family, and paid invitees—has drawn sharp criticism from disability rights groups and the Spanish government.

The Association of People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias (ADEE) condemned the party, accusing Yamal of demeaning individuals with dwarfism for promotional and entertainment purposes. The group announced plans to file a lawsuit, citing violations of Spanish disability rights laws. “It’s unacceptable that, in the 21st century, people with dwarfism are still treated as spectacle—especially by public figures like Lamine Yamal,” said ADEE President Carolina Puente. “Our dignity is not for entertainment.”

Themed around a gangster motif, Yamal reportedly wore a white suit embroidered with a gun design, and mobile phones were confiscated at the entrance to preserve the event’s privacy. Some guests included fellow Barcelona teammates, while entertainment was allegedly limited to women selected based on specific physical criteria, such as blonde hair and large bust size. Spanish model Claudia Calvo rejected an invitation to attend, calling the conditions “offensive and degrading.”

The controversy escalated further when a video emerged showing Yamal travelling in a van without wearing a seatbelt the morning after the event. The incident also featured Dominican rapper El Alfa, who gifted Yamal a custom chain worth £300,000.

Spain’s General Director of Disability, Jesús Martín, has called for an official investigation, warning that Yamal’s actions could send a damaging message to young fans. “As a public figure, Yamal holds influence. These actions risk normalising the exploitation of vulnerable groups,” he said.

The Spanish government, backing ADEE’s condemnation, is reportedly considering a fine of up to £867,000. With legal action underway and public scrutiny growing, the fallout from Yamal’s controversial celebration is far from over.