Spain, already qualified for the round of 16 of Euro 2024, could be sanctioned for playing young Lamine Yamal (16) too late in the evening.
A record of precocity liable to sanctions? At just 16 years and 11 months, Lamine Yamal became the youngest player in history to play a match in a European Championship, having played 86 minutes in Spain’s first Euro 2024 encounter against Croatia (3-0), then 71 minutes against Italy (1-0). But this could cause problems for La Roja, already qualified for the round of 16 and assured of finishing at the top of Group B.
Authorities generally tolerant
Because the Spanish selection would violate the German law on the protection of youth, according to the public channel ZDF, cited by Bild. In Germany, minors are not allowed to work beyond 8 p.m. And this law applies both to young Germans and to foreigners across the Rhine. However, if Luis de la Fuente’s men played their first match at 6 p.m., they played the second at 9 p.m., which ended almost two hours later.
This will be the case once again, this Monday, against Albania then in the round of 16 next Sunday. Athletes would, however, benefit from an exemption to be able to work until 11 p.m., but Lamine Yamal’s activities would cease beyond that, including post-match media activities.
If it does not incur a sporting sanction, the Spanish team faces a fine of 30,000 euros from the round of 16. Even if the authorities are generally lenient and tolerant in this type of situation.
