Barcelona officials have become “very worried” about teenage sensation Lamine Yamal following his controversial 18th birthday celebration at the weekend, which has prompted a Spanish government investigation with potential fines reaching £867,000.
The Ministry for Social Rights has requested the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Spanish Ombudsman and the Office for Combating Hate Crimes to investigate whether disability laws were breached at the private party held on Saturday night at a luxury estate in Olivella, near Barcelona. The mafia-themed celebration, attended by approximately 200 guests including Barcelona team-mates Robert Lewandowski, Alejandro Balde and Gavi, has drawn widespread criticism after allegations emerged that it “exploited dwarves” and featured women with “specific breast measurements” who were allegedly paid to attend.
Speaking on Spanish television programme ‘Y ahora Sonsoles’, journalist Pipi Estrada revealed the Catalan club’s hierarchy are increasingly concerned about their young star’s behaviour. “The club’s management should call him and tell him, ‘You’re on the wrong track,'” Estrada said.
New images emerged on Tuesday showing five men with Achondroplasia arriving at the private event, appearing to register for the party. Additional photographs captured women passing through the checkpoint and heading towards the main venue, despite a strict no-phones policy at the event.
The Association of People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism (ADEE) has threatened legal action against Yamal, issuing a strong condemnation of the event. “The ADEE, a member organisation of the Spanish Confederation of People with Physical and Organic Disabilities (COCEMFE), condemns and publicly denounces the hiring of people with dwarfism as part of the entertainment at the recent 18th birthday party of soccer player Lamine Yamal,” their statement read.
The organisation announced it would pursue “legal and social action to safeguard the dignity of people with disabilities”, stating the actions violated “not only current legislation but also the fundamental ethical values of a society that seeks to be egalitarian and respectful.
ADEE President Carolina Puente expressed outrage at the incident. “It’s unacceptable that in the 21st century, people with dwarfism continue to be used as entertainment at private parties, and even more serious when these incidents involve public figures like Lamine Yamal.”
Spanish model Claudia Calvo claimed that Yamal paid for 12 women with a “certain breast size” to attend the bash. Speaking to Tardear TV, Calvo revealed: “They offered us between €10k – €20k to go, but I don’t know what they expected from us. They were asking for blonde women with very specific chest dimensions. We couldn’t take our phones.”
When questioned about the party on ‘Y ahora Sonsoles’, Yamal’s father Mounir Nasraoui simply stated it had been “very good” before telling a reporter to “go find it” when pressed for details about the celebration’s events.
General Director of Disability Jesús Martín expressed concern about the influence on young fans. “We are concerned that people with money, people with power, believe themselves to be unpunished. The law is for everyone, for the humble and for the powerful,” he said.
Under Spain’s General Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, shows or recreational activities that use people with disabilities to provoke mockery or derision are explicitly prohibited. Serious infractions have been punished with fines between €600,000 and €1 million, though the law currently does not impose specific penalties for this type of violation.
The Ministry has indicated that a proposed amendment, expected to be approved by the Council of Ministers this Tuesday, would classify public shows that exploit disabilities as serious offences with clear financial penalties.
However, one dwarf who performed at the party has defended the Barcelona star. Speaking anonymously to RAC1, the performer dismissed concerns about discrimination, stating: “I don’t understand why there’s so much hype about it. We’re just normal people doing what we want in a completely normal legal manner.”
The performer expressed frustration at increasing restrictions on their work opportunities. For a couple of years now, these people have been harming us. They want to prohibit a job we love, and in no case have they offered work or courses to those affected,” they said.
Barcelona’s concerns extend beyond this single incident, following what has been described as a summer of controversies involving the 18-year-old star. Last month, photographs emerged showing Yamal with OnlyFans model and flight attendant Fati Vazquez, who is 12 years his senior, on holiday in southern Sicily.
The pair were pictured together on a jet ski and posted images from identical locations, sparking relationship speculation. Vazquez, 29, later revealed she had received death threats and was called a “paedophile” following the incident. Yamal subsequently posted on Instagram: “Single and happy, this is Brazil!”
Journalist Pipi Estrada drew comparisons with Real Madrid’s approach to young talent, suggesting their rivals would prevent similar behaviour. “I bet Mastantuono wouldn’t throw a party like this, because president Florentino Pérez won’t let him,” Estrada claimed, referring to Madrid’s 17-year-old signing Franco Mastantuono.
Barcelona has yet to release any official statement about the controversy. The young winger, who made over 100 appearances for Barcelona before his 18th birthday and scored 25 goals, returned to pre-season training with the club on Sunday, the day after the party.
Yamal, who helped Barcelona secure a domestic treble last season and was awarded the Kopa Trophy for best U23 player at the 2024 Ballon d’Or gala, celebrated his birthday with a gangster-themed cake at midnight on July 13. The party reportedly continued well into the early hours of Sunday morning.
As the investigation unfolds and public scrutiny intensifies, the sports world is left grappling with questions about the conduct expected of young footballing superstars and their influence on impressionable fans.
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Image Credit:
Lamine Yamal, Sánchez se reunió con los futbolistas de la selección española tras ganar la Eurocopa 2024 – Image by La Moncloa, licensed under CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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