A birthday is a time for celebration. It's a joyous occasion to be happy and to have some fun. There shouldn't be any room for negativity. A party is a pivotal part of it. Despite these aspects of a birthday, the Spanish government is requesting an investigation into Barcelona's Lamine Yamal's party for an offensive act.
A Spanish government official has called for an investigation into Barcelona star Lamine Yamal’s 18th birthday party after a prominent disability activist group said organisers of the event hired people with dwarfism, "solely for entertainment and attractions" in contravention of Spanish law.
Yamal hosted the party on Sunday at a private property he had rented in the small town of Olivella, 50km (about 31 miles) southwest of Barcelona, with several online influencers in attendance along with Barça team-mates.
The Association of People with Achondroplasia and other Skeletal Dysplasias in Spain (ADEE) said in a statement that it, "denounces the hiring of people with dwarfism as entertainment" at the party. "We will take action through legal and social channels," the ADEE added.
ADEE President, Carolina Puente, added in the statement: "It’s unacceptable in the 21st century that people with dwarfism are still used as amusement in private parties and even worse when these incidents involve public figues like Lamine Yamal. The dignity and rights of our collective are not the entertainment of anyone, under any circumstance.”
Martín Blanco said that the hiring of people with dwarfism at private parties is something that, "objectifies" the performers and takes "(us) back to past times, Medieval times."
"We’re worried that a well-known person who can have such an influence over young people uses these people in such a harmful way for a private party,” Martín Blanco added.
Martín Blanco added that he has contacted the General Prosecutor’s Office and the National Office of the Fight Against Hate Crimes to investigate the matter.
In an event celebrating Yamal’s contract extension with Barcelona and his awarding of the club’s mythical No. 10 jersey – which club legends Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi wore during their time with the Blaugrana – the 18-year-old superstar didn’t directly address the controversy, but told the assorted press in attendance that he was “indifferent” to criticism.
Jesús Martín Blanco, director general of the rights of people with disabilities in Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights, told Europa Press he has, "asked the relevant authorities to open the necessary investigations to determine what happened" at the party.
"Honestly, both criticisms and praise, if they don’t come from my family or my friends or people very close to me, I’m indifferent," Yamal said on Wednesday. "The only thing that matters is enjoying myself (on the pitch). Now, I’m focused on football, so I’m going to show who I am and that’s it. I work for Barça, I play for Barça, but when I’m outside of the training ground, I enjoy my life and that’s it.” Spanish law currently bans any event which, "ses people with disabilities … to arouse jokes, mockery or derision of (said people) contrary to the respect owed to human dignity.”
While there is currently no civil or criminal punishment for any infraction, a reform to the law was recently approved by the government and sent to the Spanish parliament for final passage that would reportedly allow for fines ranging from €600 000 (about $695,200) to €1 million ($1.16 million) for serious offenses.
However, two people with dwarfism who say they were hired for the party released a joint statement pushing back against critics of the events – and the ADEE specifically – for their stance. In a post on Instagram, Juan Alberto Duaso and Miggie DJ said the ADEE, "does not represent us nor does it speak on our behalf."
"As adults with achondroplasia, commonly known as dwarfism, we have our own voice, our own judgment, and full capacity to make decisions about our personal and professional lives," the statement said.
"We are not part of this association, nor have we been consulted or asked for our opinions before making public accusations that directly affect us."
His father, Mounir Nasraoui, has stepped in to defend his son, urging the public to show more understanding. Speaking to Europa Press (h/t SPORT), Nasraoui made it clear that the criticism aimed at the Barcelona wonderkid is unfair and excessive.
"People need to respect an 18-year-old boy,” Nasraoui said. He pointed out that Lamine is still learning, growing, and trying to balance the life of a professional footballer with that of a normal teenager. He’s just a kid who has the right to enjoy his life a little,” he explained. “Yes, he’s a professional athlete, but he also has friends, his family looks after him, and he deserves to live like any other young person his age."
Nasraoui highlighted that, despite the media noise, his son remains focused. "I don’t listen to criticism from people outside. The pair added that they feel, "deeply proud to have been invited to this event," and, "we strongly reject any suggestion that we have been ridiculed or used, as has been publicly claimed without evidence."
"It was a professional and human experience in which we were treated with respect," also saying that they reserve the right to take legal action against any attempts to damage their reputation. In response to the criticism, the ADEE released a Q&A in which the group said it, "doesn’t judge those who participate in these events."
"We know that many do so out of conviction, others out of resignation, and many out of necessity," they added. "But denouncing a system that limits opportunities isn’t attacking people: it’s defending their right to live life to the fullest."
"A just society is not one that says, 'Everyone is free to do whatever they want', but one that guarantees that this freedom is supported by equal opportunities, social respect, and real conditions for choice."
He also pointed out that much of the negativity comes from jealousy. "People don’t look at their own lives, they look at what others are doing and they’re going to die of envy. That’s their problem," he added.
Lamine Yamal’s father didn’t stop there. He went on to stress how rare it is to see a player of his son’s calibre at such a young age. "I have never seen a national player like Lamine. We should be proud of him," Nasraoui stated passionately.
He also questioned why people are so quick to criticise instead of supporting a young talent representing both Barcelona and Spain. "He’s the number 10 for his club and his country. We should applaud him, not destroy his mind," he said.
For now, Yamal continues to focus on his football, while his father hopes that both fans and the media will give his son the time and space he needs to grow, both as a player and as a person.
Barcelona’s star forward bluntly brushed off the controversy surrounding the allegedly illegal hiring of people with dwarfism for his 18th birthday party.
The prodigious winger hit adulthood on 13 July and celebrated the landmark occasion with a private event which has been the subject of intense scrutiny. Spain’s Association of People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism (ADEE) threatened to take legal action against the teenager after claiming that, "people with dwarfism hired solely for entertainment and promotional activities" were at the party.
This is in violation of Spain’s General Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which expressly prohibits, "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."
Some members of the Spanish government have even threatened to investigate the birthday bash.
Yamal had remained defiantly tight-lipped on the subject despite the growing clamor of discontent. At his official unveiling as Barcelona’s new no. 10 earlier this week, the Spain international was reluctantly drawn on the topic. "I work for Barça, I play for Barça, but when I’m away from the Ciutat Esportiva, I enjoy my life, and that’s it," he huffed to Europa Press.
It should be pointed out that one of the performers at Yamal’s party anonymously defended the Barcelona forward on Spanish radio in the immediate aftermath of the scandal. "No one disrespected us; [they] let us work in peace," the unnamed individual revealed.
Yamal’s father, Mounir Nasraoui, has also weighed in on the subject. "I don’t listen to criticism from people outside. I listen to my own, and my opinion is that my son is doing things right.”
I'm kind of torn on this matter. On the one hand, it's never appropriate to make fun of, humiliate or ridicule minorities. As such, I will always condemn this kind of action. On the other hand, it seems like this wasn't the case. As long as no one is offended, everything should be fine. There's no need to cry if milk isn't spilt.