CSD President steps in to ease tension amid Lamine Yamal birthday party backlash – ‘Let’s not overdramatise anyone’ | OneFootball

The recent controversy surrounding Lamine Yamal’s birthday party has become one of the most talked-about issues in Spain over the past week.

The Barcelona winger’s celebration has sparked debate after the president of the Association of People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias (ADEE) raised concerns about the event.

The situation even caught the attention of the Spanish Government, which requested a review of what happened.

Jose Manuel Rodriguez Uribes, president of the Higher Sports Council (CSD), has now spoken publicly about the matter. Uribes took a balanced approach, defending the player while also stressing the need for athletes to set positive examples.

“We shouldn’t overdramatise or stigmatise anyone, especially not Lamine Yamal,” Uribes said.

“He’s still a very young man, and we need to take an educational and supportive approach. I’m sure we will continue to make progress in this area.”

Players must promote positive values

Uribes made it clear that professional athletes have a responsibility to promote respect and inclusivity in society. “Freedom should always be balanced with respect for others, especially for vulnerable groups,” he explained.

Lamine Yamal’s birthday party attracted controversy. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

“Sport is not just about competition—it’s about values. Athletes must send a positive message.”

The CSD president’s comments were not the only ones to surface in recent days. Rafael Louzan, president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, also addressed the issue when asked.

He chose not to get deeply involved, saying, “I have the utmost respect for Lamine. He just turned 18. I don’t know exactly what happened.

“Other people will have to evaluate that. We all know how important he is for Barça and the national team.”

Meanwhile, one of the entertainers hired for the party spoke out in defence of their work. In response to the criticism from ADEE, they said,

“The Association is publicly humiliating us. We are self-employed professionals, legally hired, and we operate under confidentiality agreements. We provide entertainment services like any other business, and we do it with dignity,” he concluded.

Source: SPORT