An entertainer with dwarfism has dismissed accusations of disrespect after being booked to perform at Lamine Yamal’s 18th birthday party – and urged equality campaigners to leave them to get on with their jobs.
Spain winger Yamal hosted a celebratory bash on Saturday with 200 guests, including some of his Barcelona team-mates, and a mafia theme but has since come under fire after it emerged dwarves were used as entertainment.
Government minister Jesus Martin has demanded an investigation while the Association of People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias (ADEE) condemned the incident as “unacceptable”.
Leave us to work in peace – entertainer
But one of the entertainers says the whole affair has been overblown.
He told RAC1: “No-one disrespected us, leave us to work in peace.
“I don’t understand why there is so much hype. We are normal people who dedicate ourselves to what we want in an absolutely legal way.”
The entertainer, who wished to remain anonymous, even hit out at the ADEE, adding: “For a couple of years these people have been harming us. They want to ban us from doing a job that we like.
“They haven’t offered [alternative] work or courses to the affected people.
“We work as entertainers. Why can’t we do it? Because of our physical condition?
“We know what our limit is and we never exceed it. We are not fairground monkeys.
“Everyone had a great time. All this commotion is because it was Lamine Yamal’s party.”
COMUNICADO OFICIAL | La Asociación de Personas con Acondroplasia y Otras Displasias Esqueléticas con Enanismo denuncia la contratación de personas con enanismo como entretenimiento en la fiesta de Lamine Yamal.
Actuaremos por la vía legal y social.https://t.co/cAjEH0Fm03— Asociación ADEE (@adee_esp) July 13, 2025
ADEE denounce hiring of dwarves
The ADEE released a statement yesterday, expressing their disgust.
It read: “We publicly denounce the hiring of people with dwarfism as part of the entertainment at the recent 18th birthday party of soccer player Lamine Yamal.
“The Association will take legal and social action to safeguard the dignity of people with disabilities, considering that these facts violate not only current legislation, but also the fundamental ethical values of a society that claims to be egalitarian and respectful.
“During the birthday party of the young footballer, a relevant figure in Spanish sport, people with dwarfism were hired only for entertainment. For ADEE, this type of practice is intolerable because it perpetuates stereotypes, fuels discrimination and undermines the image and rights of those with achondroplasia or other skeletal dysplasias, as well as all people with disabilities.”
‘We’re not going to keep quiet’
ADEE president Carolina Puente added: “It is unacceptable that in the 21st century people with dwarfism continue to be used as entertainment at private parties, and it’s even more serious when these events involve public figures such as Lamine Yamal.
“The dignity and rights of our people are not entertainment for anyone, under any circumstances.
“We’re not going to keep quiet. We will defend the dignity and rights of our group in all areas, and we will demand that responsibilities be assumed so that acts like these are not repeated.”
Yamal is arguably the player with the highest profile in Spanish football after a season that saw him follow up a starring role in the country’s European Championship success by helping Barca claim a La Liga and Copa del Rey double.
