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Spain Probes Yamal’s 18th Birthday Party for Disability Law Breach

The Ministry of Social Rights has launched a probe to determine whether employing persons with dwarfism as entertainment violated Spain’s disability protections

Lamine Yamal festejó en grande su cumpleaños dieciocho. Uno de los artistas que se presentó fue el DJ BZRP. (Foto: @lamineyamal)
Lamine Yamal, con la emblemática camiseta N° 10 de Barcelona que vestirá por primera vez desde esta temporada
Lamine Yamal junto al presidente del Barcelona, Joan Laporta, tras renovar su contrato hasta 2031.
Lamine Yamal

Overview

  • The ministry has referred ADEE’s complaint to prosecutors, the Ombudsman and the hate-crimes office to assess possible breaches of Real Decreto Legislativo 1/2013, which bans spectacles that demean persons with disabilities
  • If officials determine a serious infraction, Yamal could face fines ranging from €600,000 to €1 million under Spain’s disability law
  • ADEE alleges the footballer hired persons with dwarfism as party entertainers, a practice it says violated their dignity; Yamal has limited his response to sharing a silent video of the event
  • Model Claudia Calvo says she was offered €10,000–€20,000 to attend under strict confidentiality, while an anonymous contracted artist insists no disrespect occurred and defends the right to work
  • The case highlights tensions over disability rights and representation at private events and raises questions about the enforcement of Spain’s protections for people with disabilities