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Barcelona footballer Lamine Yamal has come under fire after a group of people with dwarfism were seen arriving at his 18th birthday party last weekend. The celebration, held at a private estate in Olivella near Barcelona, has triggered an investigation by Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights, following a complaint from a disability rights organisation.

 

The Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism, or ADEE, filed an official complaint after footage appeared to show four entertainers with dwarfism entering the event. The ministry has since asked the public prosecutor’s office to determine whether any laws were broken and whether the rights of those involved were infringed.

 

The choice of live entertainment was fairly badly misjudged given the controversy surrounding using people with dwarfism for amusement purposes in Spain. For several years, activist groups have been trying to get circuses that star those with Achondroplasia banned as they “mock their disability”.

 

“The ADEE has filed a complaint, so this ministry has asked the prosecutor’s office to investigate to see if the law has been violated and, therefore, the rights of people with disabilities,” the Ministry of Social Rights said on Tuesday July 15.

 

ADEE strongly condemned the use of people with dwarfism as entertainment at the footballer’s party and said it intends to take legal action. The organisation argued that hiring people in this way “perpetuates stereotypes, fuels discrimination and undermines the image and rights” of people with disabilities.

 

Although guests were not permitted to film inside the party, a short video circulating on social media showed the entertainers heading into the venue. One of the performers later spoke to a local radio station on condition of anonymity, insisting they were treated respectfully.

 

“No one disrespected us. We were allowed to work in peace,” the performer said.

 

“We’re normal people who dedicate ourselves to what we love doing in an absolutely legal way.”

 

The performer added that they regularly dance, serve drinks and perform magic tricks at events, and suggested that the controversy has been driven solely by the fame of the birthday host.

 

“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. All this fuss has come about purely because it was Lamine Yamal’s party.”

 

Yamal, who turned 18 on Sunday, is one of the most promising young talents in world football. He helped Barcelona secure La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup last season, and is now considered a top contender for the Ballon d’Or.

 

With 25 goals in 106 appearances for the club since making his debut at just 15, his rapid rise has made headlines on and off the pitch. Yamal’s representatives have not yet commented on the matter.

 

 

Image: UEFA