A Spanish disability group has threatened legal action after people with dwarfism were reportedly hired as entertainers for Lamine Yamal’s 18th birthday.
On Saturday, the Barcelona and Spain winger hosted a massive party attended by teammates, celebrities, musicians, YouTubers and influencers.
According to local reports and social media footage, a number of people with dwarfism attended the party to entertain the guests.
Spain’s Association of People with Achondroplasia and other Skeletal Dysplasias (ADEE) said the incident violates disability rights law in the country, adding it will take legal action.
ADEE president Carolina Puente said: “It’s unacceptable that in the 21st century, people with dwarfism are still used for entertainment at private parties, particularly when public figures are involved.
“The dignity and rights of our community cannot be a source of amusement under any circumstance.”
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Jesus Martin Blanco, director general for the rights of persons with disabilities in Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights, has also called for an investigation.
He told Spanish news agency EFE, via Cadena Ser, he was concerned that “a guy who has so many followers, an influencer for young people, is throwing this kind of party that can have a knock-on effect on young people”.
“The law is for everyone, for the humble and for the powerful,” he added.
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Catalonian radio station RAC1 said on Monday it had interviewed one of the people with dwarfism hired for the party, who told the broadcaster: “We are only asking they let us work.
“We have our own contracts, we are normal people, self-employed and do everything legally. I don’t know why there’s so much noise right now.
“What the association [ADEE] is doing right now is discrediting our work as professionals. We do this job because we want to. Nobody is forcing us to.”
Sky News has contacted Gestifute – Yamal’s representatives – and Barcelona FC for comment.
Yamal’s representatives were also contacted with a request for comment by Reuters and did not immediately respond.
