Euro 2024: How Germany's labour law is stopping Lamine Yamal from playing for 90 minutes

Lamine Yamal is probably the most viral footballer currently after helping Spain reach the Euro 2024 final with a magical goal, but La Roja may not use his services for the full 90 minutes in the final against England. In the semi-final against France, after the former champions took an early lead, Yamal produced arguably the goal of the tournament when he made a joke of French defenders and curled in a goal from outside and past Mike Maignan.

Yamal’s goal was followed by a Dani Olmo winner as Spain reached the final .

With the equaliser, the 16-year-old Yamal became the youngest player ever to score at the European Championship. He also holds the record for being the youngest player to feature at a men’s Euro and last season, at 15, the Barcelona winger became the youngest player to debut and score in La Liga and the youngest player to start in the Champions League.

More from Football

Man United manager Ruben Amorim reveals chat with Kobbie Mainoo after blocking loan move Bengaluru FC players paid, Odisha FC sit out of Super Cup 2025 amid Indian football crisis

Spain would ideally want to have such a talent play for a full 90 minutes in a match, especially in the final but the labour laws in Germany are proving to be a stumbling block. The Euro 2024 is being hosted in Germany and the final will be in Berlin.

And German labour laws don’t allow minors (those under the age of 18) to work past 8 PM (Central European Time). The athletes are allowed to work until 11 PM but the cut-off point is not the full-time whistle. The 11 PM cut-off time includes other duties of a player including getting fresh and speaking to media.

Many of Spain’s matches including the semi-final against France started at 9 PM local time. A full 90 minutes would mean working beyond 11 PM as a match also includes an injury time in each half, 15 minutes of the half-time break, and the post-match interviews. In fact, Spain were forced to sub-off Yamal at the 86th minute, 71st minute, and 19th minute in their group stage matches against Croatia, Italy, and Albania respectively.

He, however, played for over 90 minutes including extra time against France in the semi-final. He had also played the full match in the Round of 16 clash against Georgia.

For breaking the law, the Spanish FA could reportedly be fined €30,000 fine (£25,000).

The Euro 2024 final between Spain and England on Sunday will also start at 9 PM local time and if Yamal plays the full 90 minutes and beyond then Spain would break the law.