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CNN
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
Spanish government official calls for investigation into Lamine Yamal's birthday party ‘objectifying' people with dwarfism
A Spanish government official has called for an investigation into Barcelona star Lamine Yamal's 18th birthday party after a prominent disability activist group said organizers of the event hired people with dwarfism 'solely for entertainment and attractions' in contravention of Spanish law. Yamal hosted the party on Sunday at a private property he had rented in the small town of Olivella, 50 kilometers (about 31 miles) southwest of Barcelona, with several online influencers in attendance along with Barça teammates. The Association of People with Achondroplasia and other Skeletal Dysplasias in Spain (ADEE) said in a statement that it 'denounces the hiring of people with dwarfism as entertainment' at the party. 'We will take action through legal and social channels,' the ADEE added. ADEE President Carolina Puente added in the statement: 'It's unacceptable in the 21st century that people with dwarfism are still used as amusement in private parties and even worse when these incidents involve public figues like Lamine Yamal. The dignity and rights of our collective are not the entertainment of anyone, under any circumstance.' Jesús Martín Blanco, director general of the rights of people with disabilities in Spain's Ministry of Social Rights, told Europa Press he has 'asked the relevant authorities to open the necessary investigations to determine what happened' at the party. Martín Blanco said that the hiring of people with dwarfism at private parties is something that 'objectifies' the performers and takes '(us) back to past times, Medieval times.' 'We're worried that a well-known person who can have such an influence over young people uses these people in such a harmful way for a private party,' Martín Blanco added. Martín Blanco added that he has contacted the General Prosecutor's Office and the National Office of the Fight Against Hate Crimes to investigate the matter. CNN Sports has contacted Yamal's representatives and both offices for comment. Spanish law currently bans any event which 'uses people with disabilities … to arouse jokes, mockery or derision of (said people) contrary to the respect owed to human dignity.' While there is currently no civil or criminal punishment for any infraction, a reform to the law was recently approved by the government and sent to the Spanish parliament for final passage that would reportedly allow for fines ranging from €600,000 (about $695,200) to €1 million ($1.16 million) for serious offenses. However, two people with dwarfism who say they were hired for the party released a joint statement pushing back against critics of the events – and the ADEE specifically – for their stance. In a post on Instagram, Juan Alberto Duaso and Miggie DJ said the ADEE 'does not represent us nor does it speak on our behalf.' 'As adults with achondroplasia, commonly known as dwarfism, we have our own voice, our own judgment, and full capacity to make decisions about our personal and professional lives,' the statement said. 'We are not part of this association, nor have we been consulted or asked for our opinions before making public accusations that directly affect us.' The pair added that they feel 'deeply proud to have been invited to this event,' and, 'we strongly reject any suggestion that we have been ridiculed or used, as has been publicly claimed without evidence.' 'It was a professional and human experience in which we were treated with respect,' also saying that they reserve the right to take legal action against any attempts to damage their reputation. CNN Sports has contacted the ADEE for comment.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dwarfism organisation to take legal action against Lamine Yamal for 18th birthday celebrations
Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal is back in training with the rest of his teammates this week as the Catalan side begin preparations for the new season. The teenage superstar ended his summer in glamorous fashion with an exclusive 18th birthday party in Garraf, a coastal town close to the Catalan capital. While it is not unusual for the person in question to let loose on their 18th birthday party, Lamine Yamal is facing legal action for some of the 'entertainment' at the event. According to the Association of Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism (ADEE), there were people with dwarfism hired to 'perform' at the party, and they have announced that they will be taking legal action against the Spain star. Image via ADEE Advertisement ADEE highlight impact of Lamine Yamal's actions The ADEE have announced that they will be taking legal action against the Barcelona forward, citing that hiring people with dwarfism is illegal in Spain. '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.' Image via El Correo Meanwhile President Carolina Puente went on to point out that the incident is far more serious, given the stature of 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.' Lamine Yamal back in training after birthday party The event took place on Saturday night, with around 250 people attending, including teammates Gavi and Alejandro Balde. They were joined by influencers and celebrities in the music industry too, say Cadena SER, who also point out that while the majority of the Barcelona squad were present, they left early in order to be fresh for preseason tests the following day. Included in the list of celebrities were Bad Gyal, Lola Indigo, Duki, Quevedo, Chimbala, Morad and Red Bull F1 driver Charles Leclerc. Mobile phones were banned from the party, although images of Lamine Yamal singing with Chimbala did emerge. Barcelona are yet to comment on the incident.
Sky News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Lamine Yamal: Disability rights group threatens legal action after people with dwarfism reportedly hired for star's birthday party
A Spanish disability group has threatened legal action after people with dwarfism were reportedly hired as entertainers for Lamine Yamal's 18th birthday. On Saturday, the Barcelona and Spain winger hosted a massive party attended by teammates, celebrities, musicians, YouTubers and influencers. According to local reports and social media footage, a number of people with dwarfism attended the party to entertain the guests. Spain's Association of People with Achondroplasia and other Skeletal Dysplasias (ADEE) said the incident violates disability rights law in the country, adding it will take legal action. ADEE president Carolina Puente said: "It's unacceptable that in the 21st century, people with dwarfism are still used for entertainment at private parties, particularly when public figures are involved. "The dignity and rights of our community cannot be a source of amusement under any circumstance." Jesus Martin Blanco, director general for the rights of persons with disabilities in Spain's Ministry of Social Rights, has also called for an investigation. He told Spanish news agency EFE, via Cadena Ser, he was concerned that "a guy who has so many followers, an influencer for young people, is throwing this kind of party that can have a knock-on effect on young people". "The law is for everyone, for the humble and for the powerful," he added. Catalonian radio station RAC1 said on Monday it had interviewed one of the people with dwarfism hired for the party, who told the broadcaster: "We are only asking they let us work. "We have our own contracts, we are normal people, self-employed and do everything legally. I don't know why there's so much noise right now. "What the association [ADEE] is doing right now is discrediting our work as professionals. We do this job because we want to. Nobody is forcing us to."
Sky News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Disability rights group threatens legal action after Lamine Yamal reportedly hired people with dwarfism at birthday party
A Spanish disability group has threatened legal action after people with dwarfism were reportedly hired as entertainers for Lamine Yamal's 18th birthday. On Saturday, the Barcelona and Spain winger hosted a massive party attended by teammates, celebrities, musicians, YouTubers and influencers. According to local reports and social media footage, a number of people with dwarfism attended the party to entertain the guests. Spain's Association of People with Achondroplasia and other Skeletal Dysplasias (ADEE) said the incident violates disability rights law in the country, adding it will take legal action. ADEE president Carolina Puente said: "It's unacceptable that in the 21st century, people with dwarfism are still used for entertainment at private parties, particularly when public figures are involved. "The dignity and rights of our community cannot be a source of amusement under any circumstance." Jesus Martin Blanco, director general for the rights of persons with disabilities in Spain's Ministry of Social Rights, has also called for an investigation. He told Spanish news agency EFE, via Cadena Ser, he was concerned that "a guy who has so many followers, an influencer for young people, is throwing this kind of party that can have a knock-on effect on young people". "The law is for everyone, for the humble and for the powerful," he added. Catalonian radio station RAC1 said on Monday it had interviewed one of the people with dwarfism hired for the party, who told the broadcaster: "We are only asking they let us work. "We have our own contracts, we are normal people, self-employed and do everything legally. I don't know why there's so much noise right now. "What the association [ADEE] is doing right now is discrediting our work as professionals. We do this job because we want to. Nobody is forcing us to."
New York Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Soccer phenom Lamine Yamal's glitzy 18th birthday party turns into dwarf scandal
Soccer superstar Lamine Yamal is facing a government investigation after hiring entertainers with dwarfism to perform at his 18th birthday party. The Barcelona and Spain player spent last weekend celebrating with a glitzy and star-studded event. The teen is one of the biggest stars on the planet after helping guide Barcelona to secure the La Liga, Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana trophies while scoring 21 goals. He put pen to paper on a new contract in May that pays him $17.3 million per season and keeps him with the Spanish giants until 2031. The contract also includes a $1.1 billion release clause to keep rival clubs at bay from trying to lure him away. 6 Lamine Yamal, the Spanish football star, has been accused of breaking the law by allegedly hiring dwarves for entertainment at his 18th birthday party. Instagram / @lamineyamal Despite his otherworldly on-field achievements, the youngster now finds himself at the center of serious backlash following his birthday celebrations. Footage from the event has begun circulating online appearing to show several people with dwarfism leaving the mafia-themed event. The scenes have sparked serious concern that they may have been exploited during the celebrations with the ADEE – Spain's Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasia – threatening legal action against the teen star. 6 Scenes from Lamine Yamal's party Instagram / @lamineyamal 'It's unacceptable that in the 21st century, people with dwarfism continue to be used as entertainment at private parties,' ADEE President Carolina Puente said. 'And even more serious when these incidents involve public figures like Lamine Yamal.' According to a Marca report the celebrations could be subject to an investigation after the Ministry of Social Rights called on the prosecutor's office to look into whether the disability law, which prohibits shows that mock or denigrate people with disabilities, was violated. 'We are concerned that people with money, people with power, believe themselves to be unpunished,' Spain's General Director of Disability Jesús Martín said. 6 Footage of the party sparked backlash. 'The law is for everyone, for the humble and the powerful. Let the appropriate investigations be opened, and let action be taken based on the conclusions.' If found to have been in breach of the law, the teenage superstar could face a fine of up to $1.1 million. Despite the backlash, one of the alleged entertainers with dwarfism has come out in defense of Yamal over the birthday celebrations. 6 The Spanish soccer star is facing criticism after the footage was released. Speaking to Spanish radio station RAC1, one of the entertainers said: 'No one disrespected us, let us work in peace. I don't understand why there's so much hype. We're normal people who do what we want, in an absolutely legal way. '(ADEE) is humiliating people with dwarfism. For a couple of years now, these people (authorities) have been harming us; they want to ban a job that we like, and in no case have they offered jobs or courses to the affected people. We work as entertainers. Why can't we do it? Because of our physical condition?' The entertainer, who asked to remain anonymous, said they performed dancing, served drinks and did magic with the show lasting an hour. He also stated that afterwards they joined in on the festivities with the rest of those in attendance before claiming the backlash only exists 'because it was Lamine Yamal's party.' 6 Scenes from the mafia-themed party. Instagram / @lamineyamal Further to the dwarfism backlash, a model named Claudia Calvo came forward to claim Yamal paid for 12 women with a 'certain breast size' to attend the bash. Calvo, who was Miss Teenager Spain back in 2021, claimed she was asked to attend the event but turned it down. She told Tardear TV that she backed out of the event after allegedly receiving a list of demands about what she could wear and what she had to look like. 'I was asked to attend Lamine Yamal's birthday party. They offered us between $A18,000 – $A35,000 to go, but I don't know what they expected from us. They were asking for blonde women with very specific chest dimensions. We couldn't take our phones,' Calvo said. 6 Spain's Lamine Yamal recently signed a new contract with Barca. REUTERS Dozens of glamorous women, fellow Barcelona stars and flashy entertainers can all be seen attending the party in images and videos from the event. Yamal, whose bumper new contract with Barca kicked in as soon as he turned 18, has yet to make any comment. He has, however, taken to Instagram to share a minute-long clip showing the best bits of the party to his 36 million followers. The video has already racked up over a million likes and shows Yamal donning a white suit and cane and his now iconic bleached blonde hair. The football ace also showed off his new $400,000 necklace featuring the initials 'LY' which was said to be a gift by Dominican rapper El Alfa. Casino-themed games and a live DJ were played long into the night. The video ended with Yamal dancing as the numbers one to 18 flashed on the screen – alluding to his age. Yamal and his Barca teammates kick off their preseason on July 27 against Vissel Kobe in Japan.
