Lamine Yamal faces investigation over alleged use of people with dwarfism in 18th birthday bash
It is further reported that the Directorate General for People with Disabilities – part of Spain's Ministry of Social Rights, ConsumerAffairs, and 2030 Agenda, has filed a legal complaint. 'Therefore, this Directorate General has asked the Prosecutor's Office to investigate to determine whether the law and, therefore, the rights of people with disabilities have been violated,' it said, according to BBC Sport.
Association of People with Achondroplasia and other Skeletal Dysplasias in Spain (ADEE) has described it as 'unacceptable in the 21st century'. It said that it 'publicly denounces the hiring of people with dwarfism as part of the entertainment,' and said it would take legal action as it 'perpetuates stereotypes, fuels discrimination, and undermines the image and rights' of people with disabilities.
'The general law on the rights of persons with disabilities expressly prohibits the following practices: 'Shows or recreational activities in which people with disabilities or other circumstances are used to provoke mockery, ridicule, or derision from the public in a manner contrary to the respect due to human dignity are prohibited',' it said in a statement.
It is to be noted that an individual claiming to be one of the performers told Spanish radio station RAC1 defended Yamal. 'No-one disrespected us, we worked in peace,' said the artist, who asked to remain anonymous.
'I don't understand why there's so much hype. We're normal people, who do what we want, in an absolutely legal way. We work as entertainers. Why can't we do it? Because of our physical condition? We know what our limit is and we will never exceed it: we are not fairground monkeys.'
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Three days after turning 18, Lamine Yamal received the most special gift of all -- Barcelona 's iconic number 10 shirt. Although the gifted teenage winger has eschewed comparisons to all-time Barca great Lionel Messi , he has followed in the Argentine's footsteps by taking the number 10, also worn by Diego Maradona and Ronaldinho among other historic Barca stars. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Data Science Management Healthcare Technology MCA MBA healthcare Finance Data Analytics Cybersecurity Design Thinking others Digital Marketing Others Operations Management Product Management Public Policy CXO Project Management Artificial Intelligence Data Science Degree PGDM Leadership Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months E&ICT Academy, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati CERT-IITG Postgraduate Cert in AI and ML India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK DABS India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIT Madras CERT-IITM Advanced Cert Prog in AI and ML India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 30 Weeks IIM Kozhikode SEPO - IIMK-AI for Senior Executives India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months E&ICT Academy, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati CERT-IITG Prof Cert in DS & BA with GenAI India Starts on undefined Get Details "I will try to continue this legacy," said Yamal on Wednesday, undaunted by the shirt's history. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Struggling With Belly Fat? Try This at Home Home Fitness Hack Shop Now Despite his age, Yamal has made over 100 appearances for the club, scoring 25 goals, and winning two La Liga titles since his debut at 15 in 2023. The Spain international, who won Euro 2024 with his country the day after his 17th birthday, is both the sport's most exciting prospect and an already devastating threat on Barca's right wing. Live Events Yamal is among the contenders for the Ballon d'Or after helping the Catalan giants win a domestic treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup. Despite two sensational displays against Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-final, Yamal and his club fell just short, leaving a clear target ahead for the new season. "We won't stop until we leave this club where it deserves, at the highest rung," pledged Yamal in the aftermath of Barca's elimination. After emerging from Barca's feted La Masia academy like Messi, Yamal smashed a series of records, including becoming the youngest La Liga goalscorer and the youngest Champions League starter. Yamal is also the youngest scorer in a Clasico and the youngest to win a major international trophy among many other feats. Immensely skilful, a superb dribbler, quick and creative, Yamal is one of the most exciting players to watch in world football. The winger has worked on his finishing and with six goals in his last nine games for club and country, is starting to become more consistent in front of goal. The last time Barca won the Champions League was in 2015, with Messi as their key player. "I don't compare myself to him because I don't compare myself to anyone -- and much less with Messi," said Yamal in April, reiterating that on Wednesday at an event to mark his new number. "Messi made his path and I will make mine," said the teenager. 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