Lamine Yamal is said to have hired people with dwarfism for entertainment purposes at his 18th birthday celebration. An association for people with dwarfism is announcing legal action.
Lamine Yamal caused a scandal in Spain during the celebrations for his 18th birthday. According to the newspaper AS, the FC Barcelona offensive star is said to have hired people with dwarfism for entertainment purposes for his party at the weekend.
According to reports, a minivan from which a large number of people with dwarfism were said to have gotten out drove up in front of the property. The Spanish newspaper refers to statements from eyewitnesses who were said to have been on site in the municipality of Olivella (south of Barcelona).
What exactly happened at the birthday party – and why people with dwarfism were probably there – remains unclear. The invited guests allegedly had to hand in their cell phones and cameras before entering the party.
Association criticizes Yamal sharply
In the aftermath, the ASDD, a Spanish member organization for people with dwarfism, spoke out and even announced legal action.
“The association condemns the use of people with dwarfism for entertainment purposes at Yamal’s celebration and will take legal and public action,” it said in an official statement.
“It is unacceptable that in the 21st century people with dwarfism are still used as entertainment at private parties – and it is even more serious when public figures such as Lamine Yamal are involved,” criticized the association president Carolina Puente.
“We will not remain silent,” added Puente. “We will defend the dignity and rights of our community in all areas and demand accountability so that such actions never happen again.”