Latest news with #Olivella
CNN
7 days 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.
The Independent
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal to be investigated over party dwarfism claims
Barcelona 's teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal is to be the subject of an investigation by Spain 's Prosecutor's Office, at the request of the nation's Ministry of Social Rights, after claims that his 18th birthday party included people with dwarfism that were hired to provide entertainment. It's alleged that Yamal hired a group of entertainers with dwarfism at his party last Sunday, held in the town of Olivella, around 50km from Barcelona. A BBC report says that the Association of People with Achondroplasia and other Skeletal Dysplasias in Spain (ADEE) described the act as "unacceptable in the 21st century" and that the ADEE has filed a legal complaint against the footballer. As a result, the Directorate General has asked the Prosecutor's Office to investigate whether the law or the rights of disabled people have been broken. In a statement, the ADEE said 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. Conversely, someone claiming to be one of the entertainers at the party appeared on the Spanish radio station RAC1 in defence of Yamal, saying: "No-one disrespected us, we worked 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. 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." The artist also claimed that, after the show, the entertainers had joined in with the party.
The National
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal to be investigated over dwarfism row
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal is facing an investigation regarding the presence of a group of people with dwarfism hired as entertainers at his 18th birthday party last weekend, Spain's Ministry of Social Rights said. The winger celebrated with a private event in Olivella, around 50 kilometres west of Barcelona, with guests including YouTubers, influencers, celebrities and several Barcelona teammates The ministry asked the prosecutor's office to probe, following a complaint from the Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism (ADEE) which described it as "unacceptable in the 21st century". "The ADEE has filed a complaint, so this ministry has asked the prosecutor's office to investigate to see if the law has been violated and, therefore, the rights of people with disabilities [have been]," Spain's Ministry of Social Rights told AFP. ADEE "publicly denounces the hiring of people with dwarfism as part of the entertainment" and said they would take legal action as it "perpetuates stereotypes, fuels discrimination, and undermines the image and rights" of people with disabilities. "These actions violate not only current legislation but also the fundamental ethical values of a society that seeks to be egalitarian and respectful. "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'." Yamal turned 18 on July 13, the day after his party on Saturday night. Guests were not permitted to film at the event but a video emerged of a group of people with dwarfism heading into the party. "No one disrespected us, we were allowed to work in peace," said one of the performers anonymously on Catalan radio station RAC1, saying there were four of them present. "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 ... "For a couple of years these people [the ADEE] have wanted to harm us, they want to prevent us from doing what we like, but they have not offered any work or training to those who are affected ... "All this fuss has come about purely because it was Lamine Yamal's party." The performer said they dance, deliver drinks and do magic tricks to entertain guests at the events they work at. Dominican rapper Chimbala, of short stature, published a video on Instagram of himself singing on stage with Yamal, with Barca teammates Gavi and Alejandro Balde dancing in the background. "Lamine Yamal at 18, the best player in the world, signing my song 'Abusadora', thank you for inviting me to your [birthday]," wrote Chimbala. Yamal is a candidate to win the Ballon d'Or after a helping Barcelona to a domestic treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup last season. The Spain international has scored 25 goals for the club in 106 appearances, having made his debut at just 15 years old in 2023. Yamal's representatives did not respond to a request for comment. A Barcelona spokemsan told the BBC the club was "not in a position to comment on an act that falls strictly within the private sphere", but added their position would be reassessed once "concrete information" has been ascertained.
Japan Times
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
Barcelona star Yamal faces probe into dwarf entertainers at 18th birthday
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal is facing an investigation regarding the presence of a group of people with dwarfism as entertainers at his 18th birthday party last weekend, Spain's Ministry of Social Rights said Tuesday. The winger celebrated with a private event in Olivella, around 50 kilometers west of Barcelona, which the ministry asked the prosecutor's office to probe, following a complaint from the Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism (ADEE). Yamal turned 18 on Sunday, the day after his party on Saturday night, which many of his teammates attended, along with celebrities from the music world including Bizarrap and Bad Gyal. "The ADEE has filed a complaint, so this ministry has asked the prosecutor's office to investigate to see if the law has been violated and, therefore, the rights of people with disabilities (have been)," the ministry said. ADEE "publicly denounces the hiring of people with dwarfism as part of the entertainment" and said they would take legal action as it "perpetuates stereotypes, fuels discrimination, and undermines the image and rights" of people with disabilities. Guests were not permitted to film at the event but a video emerged of a group of people with dwarfism heading into the party. "No one disrespected us, we were allowed to work in peace," said one of the performers anonymously on Catalan radio station RAC1, saying there were four of them present. "We're normal people who dedicate ourselves to what we love doing in an absolutely legal way ... "For a couple of years these people (the ADEE) have wanted to harm us, they want to prevent us from doing what we like, but they have not offered any work or training to those who are affected ... "All this fuss has come about purely because it was Lamine Yamal's party." The performer said they dance, deliver drinks and do magic tricks to entertain guests at the events they work at. Dominican rapper Chimbala, of short stature, published a video on Instagram of himself singing on stage with Yamal, with Barca teammates Gavi and Alejandro Balde dancing in the background. "Lamine Yamal at 18, the best player in the world, signing my song 'Abusadora', thank you for inviting me to your (birthday)," wrote Chimbala. Yamal is a candidate to win the Ballon d'Or after helping Barcelona to a domestic treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup last season. The Spain international has scored 25 goals for the club in 106 appearances, having made his debut at age 15 in 2023. Yamal's representatives did not respond to a request for comment.
National Post
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- National Post
Barca star Lamine Yamal faces probe into dwarf entertainers at 18th birthday
BARCELONA — Barcelona star Lamine Yamal is facing an investigation regarding the presence of a group of people with dwarfism as entertainers at his 18th birthday party last weekend, Spain's Ministry of Social Rights told AFP Tuesday. Article content The winger celebrated with a private event in Olivella, around 50 kilometres west of Barcelona, which the ministry asked the prosecutor's office to probe, following a complaint from the Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism (ADEE). Article content Article content Article content Yamal turned 18 on July 13, the day after his party on Saturday night, which many of his team-mates attended, along with celebrities from the music world including Bizarrap and Bad Gyal. Article content 'The ADEE has filed a complaint, so this ministry has asked the prosecutor's office to investigate to see if the law has been violated and, therefore, the rights of people with disabilities (have been),' Spain's Ministry of Social Rights told AFP. Article content ADEE 'publicly denounces the hiring of people with dwarfism as part of the entertainment' and said they would take legal action as it 'perpetuates stereotypes, fuels discrimination, and undermines the image and rights' of people with disabilities. Article content Guests were not permitted to film at the event but a video emerged of a group of people with dwarfism heading into the party. Article content 'No one disrespected us, we were allowed to work in peace,' said one of the performers anonymously on Catalan radio station RAC1, saying there were four of them present. Article content Article content 'We're normal people who dedicate ourselves to what we love doing in an absolutely legal way… Article content 'For a couple of years these people (the ADEE) have wanted to harm us, they want to prevent us from doing what we like, but they have not offered any work or training to those who are affected… Article content 'All this fuss has come about purely because it was Lamine Yamal's party.' Article content The performer said they dance, deliver drinks and do magic tricks to entertain guests at the events they work at. Article content Dominican rapper Chimbala, of short stature, published a video on Instagram of himself singing on stage with Yamal, with Barca team-mates Gavi and Alejandro Balde dancing in the background. Article content 'Lamine Yamal at 18, the best player in the world, signing my song 'Abusadora', thank you for inviting me to your (birthday),' wrote Chimbala. Article content
