Barcelona star Lamine Yamal faces backlash for allegedly hiring entertainers with dwarfism for birthday party
Spain's Ministry for Social Rights asked officials, including the Public Prosecutor's Office, to investigate the allegations and whether disability laws were violated at Sunday's party.
ESPN reported that guests were not allowed to film during the celebrations, but videos on social media appeared to show people with dwarfism arriving at the event outside of Barcelona.
The photos prompted one group to issue a statement threatening legal action.
The Association of People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias (ADEE) said in a statement it condemned Yamal.
"The association announces that it will take legal and social actions to safeguard the dignity of people with disabilities, considering that these events violate not only current legislation, but also the fundamental ethical values of a society that claims to be egalitarian and respectful," ADEE said in the statement, according to a translation.
"During the birthday of the young soccer player, a relevant figure in Spanish sports, people with dwarfism were hired solely for entertainment and protest activities. For ADEE, this type of practice is intolerable because it perpetuates stereotypes, fuels discrimination and undermines the image and rights of those with achondroplasia or other skeletal dysplasias, as well as all people with disabilities."
The BBC reported Tuesday that the ADEE had filed a complaint with the Ministry.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the soccer club for comment.
Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 minutes ago
- Yahoo
England's racism claim in Argentina clash upheld by World Rugby
World Rugby have upheld England's claim that their players were subjected to racist abuse from fans during a recent tour match in Argentina. England made an official complaint about the taunts on July 15, three days after winning 22-17 at Estadio Bicentenario in San Juan. World Rugby said it had worked with the Argentinian rugby federation to develop an action plan to enhance their operations, educate fans and help prevent further incidents. Despite conducting an "immediate and thorough investigation" involving witness statements and video analysis, world rugby's governing body was unable to identify the individuals responsible. "There is no place in rugby or society for discrimination, abuse or hate speech, and any complaint of discrimination is taken extremely seriously," a World Rugby statement said. "While it is clear that an incident took place, we regret that the individuals responsible could not be identified." Gabriel Travaglini, president of the Union Argentina de Rugby, condemned the abuse. "Upon learning of the incidents, intense efforts were made to identify the small group of five or seven individuals responsible within a crowd of over 20,000 spectators," he said. "Unfortunately, despite an exhaustive search, it was not possible to identify the perpetrators. "We will continue to work collaboratively with World Rugby to educate the fans and eradicate any similar manifestations in the future, ensuring that our events are spaces of respect and inclusion for everyone." England completed a 2-0 series win over Argentina with the victory before ending their tour with a win against the United States in Washington on Saturday. smg/ea
News24
8 minutes ago
- News24
Musk's X says it won't cooperate with 'politically motivated' French probe
Gallo Images/Alamy Elon Musk's social media platform X on Monday accused French prosecutors of launching a "politically motivated criminal investigation" that threatens its users' free speech, denying all allegations and saying it would not comply with the probe. Earlier this month, Paris prosecutors stepped up a preliminary probe into X for suspected algorithmic bias and fraudulent data extraction, enlisting police to investigate alleged wrongdoing by the company or its executives. "Based on what we know so far, X believes that this investigation is distorting French law in order to serve a political agenda and, ultimately, restrict free speech," the social network posted on its Global Government Affairs account. For these reasons, X has not acceded to the French authorities' demands, as we have a legal right to do. In the blistering attack, X also said the probe had been instigated by Eric Bothorel, a French lawmaker, who had accused "X of manipulating its algorithm for 'foreign interference' purposes, an allegation which is completely false". The Paris prosecutors' office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Neither did Bothorel. Musk, a former ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, has accused European governments of attacking free speech and has voiced support for some of the region's far-right parties. The French probe could deepen a rift between Washington and European capitals over what sort of discourse is permitted online, with senior officials from Trump's administration alleging the censoring of right-wing voices around the world. Previous research X said Paris prosecutors had requested it hand over "recommendation algorithm and real-time data about all user posts on the platform", for analysis by researchers David Chavalarias and Maziyar Panahi, who it said had both exhibited "open hostility towards X", calling into question the impartiality of the investigation. Panahi denied any involvement in the investigation. "My name was mentioned by mistake, based on my previous research projects with David Chavalarias, none of which have ever had any hostile intent toward X," he said in an email. "The fact my name has been mentioned in such an erroneous manner demonstrates how little regard they have for the lives of others ... I will not hesitate to pursue legal action for defamation should I receive any form of hate speech." READ | 'Could conflict with Elon's vision': Grok 4 consults with Musk in delivering some responses Chavalarias did not immediately respond to a request for comment. X also chafed at the fact that it was being investigated under organised crime charges, which it said would grant the police measures, including wiretapping its employees' personal devices. Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder of the Telegram messaging app, is also under judicial supervision in France after being arrested last year and placed under formal investigation for alleged organised crime on the app. He denies guilt. Early in July, Musk responded "true" to a post on X in which Durov said the French "bureaucrats" investigating X were "waging a crusade against free speech and tech progress".
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Álvaro Morata set for yet another transfer
Spanish international Álvaro Morata is set to be on the move once more over the weeks ahead. That's according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, who points towards Serie A outfit Como as the frontman's impending landing spot. Morata is for his part currently in the midst of a loan spell away from parent club AC Milan. After joining the Rossoneri in the summer of 2024, the 32-year-old lasted just six months, before departing on a year-long loan to Turkish heavyweights Galatasaray. With Gala on the verge of closing a deal for Napoli standout Victor Osimhen, however, Morata will soon find himself surplus to requirements in Istanbul. In turn, it should not come as a major surprise to hear of the experienced goalscorer preparing for yet another new chapter in his career. As per a report from journalist Fabrizio Romano: 'Álvaro Morata, now set to join Como from Galatasaray as soon as all documents for Osimhen deal will be signed next week. Morata has been waiting for Como for one month… and now, all set.' Conor Laird – GSFN
