A well-intentioned and important German youth protection law could cause a strange farce at the European Football Championship. According to the law, 16-year-old Lamine Yamal is no longer allowed to play football after 9 p.m.
Lamine Yamal has already made it into the history books of the European Championship. At 16 years old, the Spaniard is the youngest player to ever play in a major football tournament: when Spain beat Croatia 3-0 in the opening match, the FC Barcelona offensive star was 16 years and 338 days old – younger than any other player before him.
16-year-olds are only allowed to work until 11 p.m.
“Baby on board” wrote the Spanish daily newspaper “Marca” after Yamal’s first appearance, which he crowned with an assist. His “baby” age could now become a problem for the Spanish association. That is at least what the “ZDF” and the “Bild” newspaper report. At 16 years old, the offensive prodigy is still subject to German youth protection law. And it states that 16-year-olds are not allowed to work after 8 p.m. and that even with an exception, young athletes must finish work by 11 p.m. at the latest.
Yamal was unable to meet this 11pm deadline in the Spanish team’s second game, the 1-0 win against Italy last Thursday (June 20, 2024). As ZDF reported, according to the law, post-match interviews, running out of heat and showering are no longer permitted work.
To the live ticker: Albania vs Spain Arrow right 3rd group matchday Arrow right
A fine of 30,000 euros is threatened
It is not yet clear what the consequences will be for Yamal and the Spanish association. According to media reports, there are no sporting consequences such as a ban. However, the association could be fined up to 30,000 euros for each Yamal appearance after 11 p.m. – at least according to the law.
Spanish newspaper: No punishment
The Spanish newspaper “Marca” writes that there will be no punishment because the German authorities should have informed UEFA of the relevant law and the possible consequences before the tournament. And that did not happen.
UEFA: Not responsible
In response to a Sportschau query, UEFA replied that it could not provide any information on the Youth Protection Act and the Yamal case. “We ask you to contact the Spanish Football Association on this matter,” UEFA’s media department wrote by email on Monday (June 24, 2024). The request to the Spanish association on Monday afternoon initially remained unanswered until the evening.
Yamal also on the pitch against Albania
In the Spaniards’ last group match, however, Yamal again broke the 11pm mark. Coach Luis de la Fuente substituted his young gem in the 72nd minute.
