Lamine Yamal’s 18th birthday celebration is at the center of a controversy over the alleged hiring of people with dwarfism, with Spain’s Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias (ADEE) saying in a statement that “legal and social actions” will be taken in response.
Per a report from Reuters, seen here, the controversy stems from the football star’s recent birthday celebration, which he commemorated on Instagram with a pair of posts giving fans a glimpse of the proceedings. Not seen in Yamal’s posts, notably, is the alleged “hiring of people with dwarfism as part of the entertainment,” to quote ADEE’s statement.
“For ADEE, this type of practice is intolerable because it perpetuates stereotypes, fuels discrimination, and undermines the image and rights of those with achondroplasia or other skeletal dysplasias, as well as all people with disabilities,” an ADEE spokesperson said Sunday. “This problem is not new. ADEE actively works to change the social perception of difference and denounce the historical objectification of people with dwarfism.”
Making the rounds on X and elsewhere are clips and images from a local news broadcast claiming to show entertainers with dwarfism arriving to the birthday celebration. In response, ADEE has pointed to Spain’s General Law on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities.
Adding to ADEE’s condemnation, per a report from The Athletic, is additional criticism (and talks of a possible investigation) stemming from Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights. That report also notes that Yamal’s birthday celebration took place on Sunday, July 13 at a rented residence in a town outside of Barcelona.
Meanwhile, a person with dwarfism alleged to have been among those employed for the event has also been quoted thanks to an interview with the Barcelona-based station RAC 1.
“No one disrespected us,” the individual, who was not named, said.
As of this writing, Lamine Yamal has not issued a public statement on the controversy. This story may be updated.
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