Overview

• Spain’s Ministry for Social Rights has asked the prosecutor’s office, the ombudsman and the hate-crimes unit to examine whether Yamal’s Olivella celebration violated statutes that ban demeaning acts against people with disabilities.
• A 2022 disability-rights law already prohibits shows that ridicule or demean people with disabilities, and a reform moving through parliament would introduce fines of €600,000 to €1 million for violations.
• Rights groups ADEE and ASDD have condemned the alleged use of small-statured entertainers as spectacle and announced potential legal action against Yamal for perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
• Several entertainers who worked the party have publicly defended their participation, stating they were treated respectfully and warning they may sue advocacy groups for misrepresentation.
• Lamine Yamal and FC Barcelona have remained silent on the allegations while the player resumed pre-season training under mounting scrutiny.