An entertainer with dwarfism who performed at Lamine Yamal’s 18th birthday party has jumped to the footballer’s defence and called for critics to ‘let us work in peace’.
Yamal was joined by around 200 of his closest friends and family as he celebrated his milestone with a lavish knees-up on a private estate in Olivella, just outside of the centre of Barcelona, on Sunday night.
But the teenage Barca forward has faced a fierce backlash in Spain after it emerged that several artists with dwarfism were hired through a company to serve drinks, dance and perform magic tricks as part of the entertainment for the event.
It has also been suggested that a dozen scantily-clad women with ‘a certain breast size’ were paid to attend the mafia-themed bash in Catalonia, where Yamal was dressed head-to-toe in white designer gear.
With the Association of People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism (ADEE) threatening to take legal action, the Spanish government have requested an investigation to determine whether any disability laws were violated.
‘The ADEE, a member organisation of the Spanish Confederation of People with Physical and Organic Disabilities (COCEMFE), condemns and publicly denounces the hiring of people with dwarfism as part of the entertainment at the recent 18th birthday party of soccer player Lamine Yamal,’ an ADEE statement read.
‘The Association announces that it will take legal and social action to safeguard the dignity of people with disabilities, considering that these actions violate not only current legislation but also the fundamental ethical values of a society that seeks to be egalitarian and respectful.’
ADEE president Carolina Puente 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.
‘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.’
Statement from Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights
We are concerned that people with money, people with power, believe they can go unpunished,’ Director General of Disability, Jesus Martin , told EFE.
‘The ministry will not stand idly by in the face of these indications.
The law is for everyone, for the humble and the powerful.
‘Let the appropriate investigations be opened and let action be taken based on the conclusions.’
According to Spanish publication Marca, Yamal could be slapped with a hefty fine of between €600,000 and €1million if it is found that a serious offence – or offences – was committed.
A day after the event, Yamal took to Instagram to share a short video from the party with his followers on social media, along with the caption, ‘Just 1 minute, enjoy it’.
Otherwise, Yamal has chosen to remain tight-lipped amid the controversy and the youngster’s team have not yet issued a response to the criticism from the ADEE.
However, one of entertainers with dwarfism who performed at the event, who wanted to remain anonymous, has slammed the ADEE’s statement and urged all those criticising the event to stand down.
‘No one disrespected us, let us work in peace,’ they told Catalonian radio station RAC1.
‘I don’t understand why there’s so much hype. We’re normal people, who do what we want, in an absolutely legal way.’
According to the performer in question, the ADEE’s response is ‘humiliating’ for people with dwarfism and the president actively ‘wants to screw over’ those with the condition.
‘For a couple of years now, these people have been harming us,’ they added.
‘They want to ban a job that we like, and in no case have they offered jobs or courses to the affected people.
‘We work as entertainers. Why can’t we do it? Because of our physical condition?
‘There is a new president who feels self-conscious and wants to screw over us others.’
The entertainer insisted the uproar resulting from the party was only down to Yamal’s high-profile.
‘We know what our limit is and we will never exceed it: we are not fairground monkeys,’ he continued.
‘We dance, we distribute drinks, we do magic… there are many types of shows.
Barcelona’s pre-season tour of Japan
July 27: Vissel Kobe vs Barcelona (Noevir Kobe Stadium)
July 31: FC Seoul vs Barcelona (Seoul World Cup Stadium)
August 4: Daegu FC vs Barcelona (Daegu Stadium)
‘Everyone had a great time. It was only the fact that it was Lamine Yamal’s party that all this mess was created.’
Yamal is among the hot favourites to win this year’s Ballon d’Or award after helping Barcelona win La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup last season.
The teenager has been out of action for the past month and most recently featured in Spain’s Nations League final defeat to Portugal on June 8.
In the days leading up the party, Yamal had been working with adidas in China, where he was pictured visiting schools and joining aspiring footballers for a kickabout in both Beijing and Shanghai.
Barcelona’s first-team squad have been ramping up their pre-season training this week ahead of the club’s tour of Japan which gets underway later this month.
After taking on Vissel Kobe, FC Seoul and Daegu FC, Hansi Flick’s men will return home and look to fine tune their preparations ahead of their opening La Liga match of the campaign away to Mallorca on August 16.
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