A Spanish government ministry has asked the country’s prosecutor’s office to investigate Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal after he reportedly hired performers with dwarfism for his 18th birthday party.
The Ministry of Social Rights’ decision comes after a complaint from the Association of People with Achondroplasia and other Skeletal Dysplasias in Spain (ADEE), which described the act as “unacceptable.”
The group claims the hiring of entertainers with dwarfism “perpetuates stereotypes, fuels discrimination, and undermines the image and rights” of people with disabilities.
However, a performer who claimed to be at the party defended Yamal in an interview with Spanish radio, stating, “No-one disrespected us, we worked in peace.”
The entertainer added that they are “normal people, who do what we want, in an absolutely legal way.”
Barcelona has stated it will not comment on the matter, calling it a private issue.
