This article was originally published on www.si.com as Lamine Yamal Breaks Silence on Birthday Party, Dwarfism Scandal. Barcelona’s star forward Lamine Yamal bluntly brushed off the controversy surrounding the allegedly illegal hiring of people with dwarfism for his 18th birthday party.

The athlete celebrated his 18th birthday with a party attended by his teammates and other celebrities on Sunday, July 13

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 organizers of the event hired people with dwarfism “solely for entertainment and attractions” in contravention of Spanish law.