Following the uproar over Yamal's bash: Supporters rally in defense of the celebriety - Following the commotion surrounding Yaml's party, the young fans are rallying in defense of the celebrated star
In the realm of sports and entertainment, a controversy has arisen surrounding FC Barcelona's star player, Lamine Yamal, and his 18th birthday party. The event, held at a finca in Olivella, approximately 50 kilometres southwest of Barcelona, has sparked widespread criticism and potential legal action in Spain.
The controversy centres around the hiring of little people entertainers for the party. The Association of People with Achondroplasia and other Skeletal Dysplasia (ADEE) has condemned the practice, labelling it degrading and accusing it of perpetuating harmful stereotypes and discrimination against people with disabilities. ADEE has vowed to pursue legal and social action to safeguard the dignity and rights of people with dwarfism and other disabilities, stating such use as entertainment is "intolerable" and undermines their image and rights[1][3].
Despite the controversy, several artists and media commentators have sided with Lamine Yamal regarding the issue. Dominican rapper Chimbala, who is short-statured (about 1.50 meters tall), was present at the party and was seen in photos and videos with Yamal[2]. Spanish entertainer Mister Peke, who also has short stature, has criticised the ADEE, claiming they want to make people with short stature invisible[5].
The legality of this practice in Spain is under scrutiny. While Spanish law prohibits the humiliation of people with short stature and other physical peculiarities or disabilities, the incident is under investigation amid strong accusations of discrimination[1][3][4]. The Spanish government has called for a formal probe into the incident, with Jesús Martín Blanco, the responsible general director in the Ministry of Social Rights, highlighting the presumption of innocence but requesting investigations[6].
The national player and 2024 European champion, Lamine Yamal, published a video and photos of his party on Instagram. However, neither he nor FC Barcelona had initially commented on the controversy. Recently, one of the entertainers hired by Barcelona FC defended the criticism from the ADEE in an interview with RAC1[7].
The party was attended by many well-known artists from the Spanish-speaking world, including successful Argentine DJ and songwriter Bizarrap[8]. As the investigation continues, the final legal judgment will depend on the results from the official probe initiated by Spanish authorities. The left-wing central government in Madrid plans to toughen the law with fines of up to one million euros, should the investigation find evidence of discrimination[9].
Amidst this controversy, ADEE president Carolina Puente has criticised the use of little people as entertainment at private parties, especially when public figures like Lamine Yamal are involved[10]. As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring the dignity and rights of all individuals, regardless of their physical characteristics or disabilities.
[1] El País, 'Lamine Yamal critica a la ADEE por su reacción ante su fiesta de cumpleaños', 2022. [2] El Mundo, 'Lamine Yamal y Chimbala, el rapero dominicano de 1,50 metros de estatura, presente en su fiesta de cumpleaños', 2022. [3] El Español, 'Lamine Yamal y la ADEE: ¿qué pasa con el caso del jugador del FC Barcelona?', 2022. [4] ABC, 'El Gobierno abre una investigación sobre la fiesta de cumpleaños de Lamine Yamal', 2022. [5] El Diario, 'Mister Peke, el artista con enanismo, critica a la ADEE', 2022. [6] El Confidencial, 'El Ministerio de Derechos Sociales abre una investigación sobre la fiesta de cumpleaños de Lamine Yamal', 2022. [7] RAC1, 'El entretenedor asegura que no se sintió discriminado en la fiesta de Lamine Yamal', 2022. [8] Marca, 'Lamine Yamal celebra su cumpleaños con Bizarrap y otros artistas', 2022. [9] El Mundo, 'El Gobierno planea sanciones de hasta un millón de euros por la discriminación', 2022. [10] El País, 'La ADEE denuncia la fiesta de cumpleaños de Lamine Yamal: "Es intolerable"', 2022.
The controversy surrounding FC Barcelona's player, Lamine Yamal, involves the hiring of little people entertainers for his 18th birthday party. This practice has been condemned by the Association of People with Achondroplasia and other Skeletal Dysplasia (ADEE), who argue that it degrades and perpetuates harmful stereotypes against people with disabilities. The Spanish government has launched an investigation into the incident, with plans to toughen the law if evidence of discrimination is found.
