Lamine Yamal could be investigated for reportedly hiring people with dwarfism at birthday party
The Barcelona winger celebrated his birthday on Sunday, but the festivities have since been overshadowed in controversy.
The Association of People with Achondroplasia and other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism (ADEE) has "publicly denounced" the hiring of people with dwarfism "as part of the entertainment".
They announced they would launch legal action, saying Yamal's alleged actions "violate" current legislation and "ethical values".
Following the filing of a legal complaint by the ADEE, the Ministry said the Director General for People with Disabilities has "asked the Prosecutor's Office to investigate to determine whether the law and, therefore, the rights of people with disabilities have been violated."
In a statement, ADEE's President Carolina Puente said: '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.
'When a person with social influence participates in these types of situations, the damage is even greater, because it conveys to society—especially to young people—that discrimination is acceptable.
"We must eradicate the objectification of difference and educate people in respect and equity.'
However, in an interview with Spanish radio station RAC1, one of those hired said they disagreed with the ADEE's response.
Speaking anonymously, they said "no one disrespected us" and that they're "normal people, who do what we want, in an absolutely legal way".
Yamal joined FC Barcelona in 2023, and became the youngest ever player to start in La Liga at just 16 years old.
He also holds the record for being the youngest payer to score in a European Championship.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
13 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Marcus Rashford ‘does not deserve' Barcelona says Man Utd legend
Marcus Rashford has been told he does not deserve a move to Barcelona, with a former Manchester United Treble-winner describing the transfer saga as 'soul destroying'. Rashford, who has been granted time to find a new club, has made little secret of his wish to play at Camp Nou, giving an interview in Spain and declaring he hopes to play with Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. But 1999 hero Teddy Sheringham has insisted that Rashford, 27, should not throw away his career at Old Trafford, comparing the situation with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy and released before joining Barça. 'If you assess where Marcus Rashford is at as a professional footballer, you strive as a youngster to get to the very top and play for clubs like Manchester United, and when you're there, you appreciate it,' Sheringham told Sky Bet. 'You don't throw it away and say you want to leave. 'I find the whole episode very soul-destroying, compared to the way I was back in the day and how I strove to get the privilege to play for such a huge football club. 'To hear someone talking the way he is talking, saying he wants out – I didn't like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang doing that at Arsenal, I thought it was soul-destroying, and I hope Rashford doesn't get the move that he's hankering for. 'From my perspective, if you go from Manchester United to Barcelona, that's a step up that he hasn't deserved.' Rashford is one of five players who have been given time away from first-team training to find new clubs. Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia are also surplus to requirements. 'It's very easy to spend money on players, but it's hard to recoup it,' Sheringham added. 'It seems quiet, but I bet there's lots going on behind the scenes at Manchester United. Other clubs know United's position. 'They've made it known that they're looking to sell around five players, which signals to other clubs to make them ridiculous offers. 'I would assume that's what football clubs are doing around Europe, and Manchester United are turning them down at the moment. 'The longer that goes on, I reckon those offers might be a little less ridiculous, but United want these players off the books – they've made their bed and they've got to lie in it. 'They'll probably take anything from a quarter to a fifth of their asking price for some of them.' United's bomb squad and what we know about their futures Marcus Rashford His interview in Spain gave a clear hint that he wants to play for Barcelona, although he also complimented life in Spain and how he likes to train there as it is only a short flight for his family. His No10 shirt has been given to Matheus Cunha, which is an indicator of where he stands at United. In previous windows he has ruled out Turkey, making a reunion with Jose Mourinho at Fenerbahce unlikely without a change of heart. Alejandro Garnacho Chelsea have previously looked at him and the winger is looking at that calibre of club for his next destination. There were initial talks over whether Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia would be suitable but a deal did not get off the ground. Tyrell Malacia There has been a market for right-backs this window, with Kyle Walker moving and clubs such as Wolves and Everton looking at that position. But there are less obviously options for a left-back. Malacia had a long period out injured which does not help his cause but he was also a title-winner with PSV last season when he went out on loan. Antony Real Betis would like him back after his successful loan last season but getting the finances right for a deal is the problem. The Spaniards would look at a loan, which would involve some of the Brazilian's wages being covered by United. There has been suggestions United keeping a percentage of 'registration rights' would be one way a deal could be done. Jadon Sancho Chelsea paid a penalty to United rather than turning his loan into a permanent move. He has enjoyed a previous loan at Borussia Dortmund that went well. Juventus have looked at him but Francisco Conceicao, who they know from his loan from Porto last season, is an alternative option for them.
Reuters
14 minutes ago
- Reuters
Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham undergoes successful shoulder surgery
July 16 (Reuters) - Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has successfully undergone surgery to address a long-standing shoulder dislocation issue, the Spanish club said on Wednesday. Bellingham has been managing the injury since 2023, playing with his shoulder strapped, but the 22-year-old decided to go under the knife after Real Madrid's campaign at the Club World Cup, where they lost to Paris St Germain in the semi-finals. "Bellingham will now undergo a period of rehabilitation, prior to returning to training and starting his recovery," Real Madrid said in a statement. The club did not give a timeline on his return but Spanish media reported the England international could miss two to three months of action and potentially return in October. Real Madrid begin the new LaLiga season on August 19 with a home game against Osasuna.
Powys County Times
15 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Jude Bellingham could be sidelined until October following shoulder surgery
Real Madrid and England midfielder Jude Bellingham has undergone shoulder surgery. It was reported in May that Bellingham would have surgery following this summer's Club World Cup and on Wednesday, Real confirmed the procedure had taken place to treat a recurring dislocation of his left shoulder. The surgery is reportedly set to sideline him until October, but the Spanish club did not confirm any length of absence, saying only that Bellingham would now 'begin a period of rehabilitation prior to his return to recovery work'. Parte médico de Bellingham. — Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) July 16, 2025 Real said the surgery had been performed by Drs Manuel Leyes and Andrew Wallace, under the supervision of Real Madrid Medical Services. Bellingham is now set to miss the start of Real's LaLiga campaign and also England's World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia in September. The 22-year-old and his Real team-mates came home empty-handed from the Club World Cup to round off a disappointing campaign where they finished runners-up to Barcelona in the league and fell to Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals. Carlo Ancelotti, who stood down as Real coach at the end of the regular season but before the Club World Cup, highlighted the issue with Bellingham's shoulder back in December 2023 and said at the time: 'The shoulder is very particular. 'If it happens again or keeps happening, maybe (he will need surgery), but we will see.'
