Yamal’s birthday party sparks backlash over alleged use of people with dwarfism

Lamine Yamal’s high-profile birthday celebration has come under fire after an advocacy group accused the event of using people with dwarfism as entertainment.

Legal action threatened after Lamine Yamal birthday party

The Spanish Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias (ADEE) released a statement on social media announcing it plans to take legal and social action in response to what it described as a degrading and discriminatory act.

“The Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias denounces the hiring of individuals with dwarfism as entertainment at Lamine Yamal’s birthday party. We will pursue legal and social measures,” read the statement, posted on X.

Barcelona winger comes of age...and under fire

The controversy stems from the teenage FC Barcelona winger’s blowout birthday bash last week, where he marked his 18th birthday in style.

Raised in the Rocafonda neighborhood of Mataró, just outside Barcelona, Yamal reportedly spared no expense for the milestone event, which drew a star-studded guest list that included teammates, influencers, streamers, and Spanish-language music stars like Bizarrap, Duki, Ozuna, and Bad Gyal.

Though the celebration went on well into the early morning hours, there had been no signs of trouble—at least publicly—until ADEE issued its strongly worded condemnation.

Yamal was even seen back at Barcelona’s training complex the next morning, undergoing routine medical checks ahead of preseason preparations for what will be his first full campaign as a legal adult.

Online criticism for demeaning use of people with disabilities

But the social media statement from ADEE has ignited a wave of criticism online, with many calling for greater sensitivity and respect when it comes to how people with disabilities are treated at public and private events.

The association has not specified who hired the performers or what role they played during the party, but it made clear that it considers such use of individuals with dwarfism to be demeaning and unacceptable. The organization is now pushing for broader awareness and policy changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.