Why is Lamine Yamal under investigation of Barcelona Police?

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Barcelona star Lamine Yamal recently turned 18, but his birthday party has turned into a point of controversy.

The Spain international, who has made a meteoric rise in football, is getting investigated by the Spanish authorities over an alleged offence.

Yamal organized a birthday party on July 13, which had many footballers present. The likes of Robert Lewandowski, Gavi, Alejandro Balde, Pau Cubarsí, Marc Casadó, Raphinha were present at his party, as around 200-250 guests were invited. But amid that, an alleged offence which breaks Spanish law has drawn controversy.

Why is Lamine Yamal getting Investigated?

Lamine Yamal, a Barcelona football star, is under investigation by the Spanish government for allegations that he hired individuals with dwarfism as entertainers for his 18th birthday party on July 13, 2025. The Spanish Ministry for Social Rights has requested the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Spanish Ombudsman, and the Office for Combating Hate Crimes to probe whether this violated Spain's General Disability Law, which prohibits acts that mock, exploit, or denigrate people with disabilities.

The Association of People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism (ADEE) condemned the alleged hiring and threatened legal action, claiming it perpetuates harmful stereotypes. If found guilty, Yamal could face a fine of up to €1 million.

However, an anonymous performer involved in the event told Spanish outlet RAC1 that they were treated respectfully, worked voluntarily under legal contracts, and performed activities like dancing and magic tricks. The performer criticized ADEE for discrediting their professional work without offering alternative employment solutions. Yamal has not publicly commented on the allegations, and Barcelona has not issued an official statement.

Yamal, who made his Barcelona debut in 2023, has gone on to play 106 times for the Catalan club so far, scoring 25 goals. Regarded as a generational talent, the 18-year-old has also represented Spain 21 times, scoring 6 goals. In the 2024-25 season, he played 55 matches for Barcelona and netted 18 goals and made 21 assists.