Lamine Yamal faces legal trouble for hiring people with dwarfism on 18th birthday
Yamal turned 18 on July 13 and hosted a grand gala on his birthday, inviting several of his club and national team members.
But the party also involved an objectionable part in entertainment and promotional activities: hiring people with dwarfism.
The Association of People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism (ADEE), a member organisation of the Spanish Confederation of People with Physical and Organic Disabilities (COCEMFE), publicly denounced the activity, adding that it will take legal action against the forward.
Has Yamal broken any law?
Yes. According to the The General Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Spain, approved by Royal Legislative Decree 1/2013: 'Shows or recreational activities in which people with disabilities or other circumstances are used to provoke mockery, ridicule, or derision from the public in a manner contrary to the respect due to human dignity are prohibited.'
What has the ADEE said?
'ADEE considers this type of practice intolerable because it perpetuates stereotypes, fuels discrimination, and undermines the image and rights of those with achondroplasia or other skeletal dysplasias, as well as all people with disabilities,' the Association said in a statement.
Carolina Puente, ADEE's president, added, '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.'
'The dignity and rights of our community are not entertainment for anyone, under any circumstances.'
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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
No ceiling for Yamal as he follows Messi's footsteps
Three days after turning 18, Lamine Yamal received the most special gift of all -- Barcelona 's iconic number 10 shirt. Although the gifted teenage winger has eschewed comparisons to all-time Barca great Lionel Messi , he has followed in the Argentine's footsteps by taking the number 10, also worn by Diego Maradona and Ronaldinho among other historic Barca stars. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Data Science Management Healthcare Technology MCA MBA healthcare Finance Data Analytics Cybersecurity Design Thinking others Digital Marketing Others Operations Management Product Management Public Policy CXO Project Management Artificial Intelligence Data Science Degree PGDM Leadership Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months E&ICT Academy, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati CERT-IITG Postgraduate Cert in AI and ML India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK DABS India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIT Madras CERT-IITM Advanced Cert Prog in AI and ML India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 30 Weeks IIM Kozhikode SEPO - IIMK-AI for Senior Executives India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months E&ICT Academy, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati CERT-IITG Prof Cert in DS & BA with GenAI India Starts on undefined Get Details "I will try to continue this legacy," said Yamal on Wednesday, undaunted by the shirt's history. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Struggling With Belly Fat? Try This at Home Home Fitness Hack Shop Now Despite his age, Yamal has made over 100 appearances for the club, scoring 25 goals, and winning two La Liga titles since his debut at 15 in 2023. The Spain international, who won Euro 2024 with his country the day after his 17th birthday, is both the sport's most exciting prospect and an already devastating threat on Barca's right wing. Live Events Yamal is among the contenders for the Ballon d'Or after helping the Catalan giants win a domestic treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup. Despite two sensational displays against Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-final, Yamal and his club fell just short, leaving a clear target ahead for the new season. "We won't stop until we leave this club where it deserves, at the highest rung," pledged Yamal in the aftermath of Barca's elimination. After emerging from Barca's feted La Masia academy like Messi, Yamal smashed a series of records, including becoming the youngest La Liga goalscorer and the youngest Champions League starter. Yamal is also the youngest scorer in a Clasico and the youngest to win a major international trophy among many other feats. Immensely skilful, a superb dribbler, quick and creative, Yamal is one of the most exciting players to watch in world football. The winger has worked on his finishing and with six goals in his last nine games for club and country, is starting to become more consistent in front of goal. The last time Barca won the Champions League was in 2015, with Messi as their key player. "I don't compare myself to him because I don't compare myself to anyone -- and much less with Messi," said Yamal in April, reiterating that on Wednesday at an event to mark his new number. "Messi made his path and I will make mine," said the teenager. However it is hard for everyone else to resist the comparison, with Yamal also playing on the right flank and cutting in on his favoured left foot, as Messi did for a long period of his career. The Argentine's greatness was marked by his consistency, with a record eight Ballon d'Or wins showing he did not let his standards drop. Only time will tell whether Yamal will be able to reproduce his longevity, but thus far he has risen to meet every challenge he has faced. 'Keep enjoying it' With his penchant for trickery, and playing with great joy, Yamal has also been compared to former Barca winger Neymar, whom he spent some time with this summer in Brazil and has described as his "idol". Yamal's huge 18th birthday celebration last weekend, with a celebrity-filled guest list, was a more akin to the Brazilian's style than that of the more introverted Messi. The party-loving Neymar occasionally raised hackles at his clubs and Yamal's event on Saturday has caused a stir, with the Spanish government asking for an investigation into whether hiring entertainers with dwarfism broke any laws. Once that storm settles, the focus will be on whether Messi's number 10 weighs heavy on Yamal, but with the forward showing no nerves, no matter the situation, most would back him to continue shining. "I left fear behind in the park in Mataro a while ago," said Yamal, referring to his hometown, which he still acknowledges during his goal celebrations by signing a 304 for the postcode of his old neighbourhood Rocafonda. The winger signed a new deal until 2031 in May, making him one of the best-paid players at the club. With a new contract, a new shirt and no longer a minor, Yamal's future begins now and there is no limit to what he could achieve. "We have to keep enjoying it above all, because when we're enjoying ourselves we're much happier and we can win," said Yamal on Wednesday, keen for the fun to continue.
News18
4 hours ago
- News18
'I Will Try To Continue The Legacy': Lamine Yamal Vows To Honour Barcelona's Coveted No.10 Shirt
Lamine Yamal, now 18, received Barcelona's iconic No. 10 jersey, once worn by Messi and Maradona. With 100+ appearances and major achievements, his future looks bright. Just three days after celebrating his 18th birthday, Lamine Yamal received the most symbolic gift of his career so far — Barcelona's iconic No. 10 jersey. The prodigious winger, widely regarded as the brightest talent of his generation, has now inherited a number worn by some of the greatest names in football history, including Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, and Diego Maradona. While Yamal has consistently avoided direct comparisons to Messi, he acknowledged the weight of the number he now wears. 'I will try to continue this legacy," Yamal said confidently on Wednesday, showing no signs of intimidation by the jersey's legendary past. Despite his youth, Yamal has already made over 100 first-team appearances, scored 25 goals, and helped Barcelona secure two La Liga titles since debuting as a 15-year-old in 2023. Yamal's impact extends beyond club football. Just one day after turning 17, he played a pivotal role in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph, becoming the youngest-ever player to win a major international tournament. The electric winger also helped Barcelona complete a domestic treble in the 2024–25 season, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup — making him a strong contender for this year's Ballon d'Or. Whether he can replicate Messi's longevity remains to be seen, but so far, Yamal has answered every challenge placed before him. 'I left fear behind in the park in Mataró a while ago," he said, referencing his hometown. His trademark goal celebration — flashing a '304' with his fingers — honors the postcode of Rocafonda, the neighborhood where he grew up. A New Era Begins In May, Yamal signed a new contract through 2031, securing his future at the club and making him one of Barcelona's highest-paid players. With the No. 10 shirt now officially his and adulthood just beginning, his next chapter is set to be even more monumental. 'We have to keep enjoying it above all," he added. 'Because when we're enjoying ourselves, we're much happier — and we can win." (with agency inputs) view comments First Published: July 17, 2025, 18:21 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
14 hours ago
- Indian Express
From No 19, Yamal moves to No 10
Lamine Yamal was only a few months old when Lionel Messi, then 18 himself, held the baby in his arms for a UNICEF calendar photoshoot in Barcelona's locker room. Eighteen years later, the baby inherited Messi's iconic jersey, after two splendid years wherein he showed the spark to inherit the Argentine's vaunted legacy. The No 10 shirt, a symbolic baton, comes with storied pedigree as well as burden. Before Messi, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo and Diego Maradona all wore the most famous number in the club's history. 'I'll try to build my own path, but all kids would like to be like them,' Yamal said Wednesday at the club's announcement. 'All three have been incredible players, they're legends, and I'll try to follow in their footsteps.' 'My goal is to keep winning and growing,' Yamal said. 'It's the club of my life. It's my home, I've been here since I was 7 years old,' he said. It's not the first time that he has been asked about Messi and Co. 'I don't want to compare myself with anyone and even less with Messi,' he had once said. To understand the crushing burden of the number, he needs to look only as far as his close friend Ansu Fati, a talent that quickly went astray and is now spending a loan spell at Monaco. But, there is profound optimism around Yamal that he would be the club's talisman like Messi was for a decade and a half. Messi himself has found shades of himself in Yamal. 'If I have to choose someone, because of the age and because of the future that he has, I've heard that they have chosen Lamine Yamal and without doubt [it's him] for me, too. I agree it depends on him and many things because that's how soccer is, but he's the present and without a doubt has a huge future,' he had once said. Messi's colleague and one of Barcelona greats himself, Xavi, once said Yamal could define an era. 'I see him very calm. He is very measured in the sense that he is digesting everything that is happening to him very well, despite his young age. He is a mature person, he is responsible, he is aware of the situation he is experiencing,' said Xavi, who was Barcelona's manager when Yamal made his debut. 'He's very humble and he's showing us that he's a differential player. He is a player that can mark an era in football, especially at Barcelona. Hopefully we can always enjoy him at this level. He's a teenage boy who's growing up. On a mental level, he is a cheerful, joking boy. He's enjoying himself. He's happy,' he added. At 18, he has already set the stage alight with wondrous goals, assists, nervelessness on the big stage and a capacity to make fools out of the best defenders in the world. There is joy and fearlessness in his game, besides a sparkling maturity. 'Fear while playing the game? I left all my fears in the park of my neighbourhood, back in Mataro, a while ago,' he had once said. Last week, though, his 18th birthday party wooed controversy for its extravagance as well as hiring people with dwarfism as entertainers. Yamal deflected the controversy'In the end I work for Barça, but when I'm away from the club's training centre, I enjoy my life and that's it,' Yamal said. 'I'm indifferent to both criticism and praise if they don't come from my family or people close to me.'
