According to reports in Germany, after fielding the Barcelona teenage star in the opening Euro 24 games, sanctions could follow.
Spain’s 16-year-old forward Lamine Yamal’s participation in the 2024 European Championships may result in a fine of up to €30,000 ($32,000) for the Spanish national team federation due to a German youth protection law.
The law states that minors under 18 cannot work after 11 pm, including post-match activities like showering and media obligations, which could be considered “work” for young athletes.
Yamal’s participation in the tournament, including a late kick-off match against Italy, potentially violates this law, making Spain’s team the only one affected as they are the only team with an underage player.
Despite the potential violation, authorities have not taken action against the Spanish team or other instances in the sports domain, leaving the situation uncertain for now.