The Spanish government has called for an investigation into Barcelona footballer Lamine Yamal’s recent 18th birthday party, which has sparked public outcry over alleged exploitation and discriminatory practices.

The party which took place over the weekend had more than 200 guests who included friends, family, and team-mates. However, reports claim the mafia-themed celebration involved hiring individuals with dwarfism as part of the entertainment, which ended up raising serious concerns about the violation of Spain’s disability rights laws.

According to the Spanish media reports and statements from advocacy groups such as the Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias (ADEE), guests at the party observed individuals with dwarfism being used as entertainers in a manner deemed demeaning.

“The act violates current laws and fundamental ethical values. We will take legal and social action to protect the dignity of people with disabilities,” the ADEE said in a statement.

Nonetheless, one of the performers who requested anonymity rubbished the reports that they were mocked during the party, insisting that they too have a right to work as entertainers.

“No one disrespected us, we were allowed to work in peace,” he told RAC1 in an interview in Catalan. “I don’t understand why it’s become such a big deal. We’re normal people who dedicate ourselves to what we love doing in an absolutely legal way.”

He added: “We work as entertainers. Why can’t we do what we do? We dance, we do magic, there are all types of shows. We were treated like anyone else [at the party], everyone had a good time. All this fuss has come about purely because it was Lamine Yamal’s party.”

The Ministry of Social Rights has since requested the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Ombudsman, and the Office for Combating Hate Crimes to open a formal probe into the event.