Spain's Ministry for Social Rights has requested an investigation into Barcelona star Lamine Yamal's 18th birthday party for potential breaches of disability laws, per ESPN.
The request comes after allegations that Yamal's party had individuals with dwarfism perform as entertainers.
Yamal turned 18 on July 13. In the past few years, he has set various international age records, including the youngest player to appear in a UEFA European Championship final, the youngest player in a European Championship, and the youngest goal scorer in a European Championship.
Here's what to know about the reported request for an investigation into Yamal's 18th birthday party.
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Spain's Ministry for Social Rights requests investigation into Lamine Yamal's birthday party
Spanish outlet Marca first reported Monday that Spain's Ministry for Social Rights had submitted a request for an investigation into Yamal's birthday party, with allegations of individuals with dwarfism being hired as entertainers for the party.
Per ESPN, the Ministry "wants the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Spanish Ombudsman and the Office for Combating Hate Crimes to probe whether laws which prohibit shows that mock or denigrate people with disabilities were violated at the party."
Yamal's birthday was on Sunday, July 13. He reportedly held a private birthday party outside of Barcelona on Saturday. According to ESPN, guests were not permitted to film on their phones at the event, but videos surfaced on social media of individuals with dwarfism appearing to arrive at the location of the party.
In a statement, the Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism (ADEE) in Spain condemned "the hiring of individuals with dwarfism as entertainers," saying that the act "violates current laws and fundamental ethical values" and that it would take "legal and social action to protect the dignity of people with disabilities."
An anonymous performer, speaking to Spanish outlet RAC1, said "no one disrespected us" at Yamal's party and "we were allowed to work in peace."
"For a couple of years these people [the ADEE] have wanted to harm us, they want to prevent us from doing what we like, but they have not offered any work or training to those who are affected," the performer told RAC1, according to ESPN. "We work as entertainers. Why can't we do what we do? We dance, we do magic, there are all types of shows. We were treated like anyone else [at the party], everyone had a good time."
Last year, Yamal helped Barcelona win LaLiga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Supercopa. He won the 2024 Kopa Trophy and was also previously the youngest player to be nominated for the Ballon d'Or, at age 17.