Why Spain could be fined for playing 16-year-old wonderkid Lamine Yamal at Euro 2024 - explained

The Barcelona starlet has started both of La Roja’s games at the tournament so far, with more records being broken in the process. Yamal is not due to turn 17 until July 13 – the day before this summer’s European Championship final is set to take place.

He will have a key role to play in trying to get Spain to that showpiece, but may end up breaking a few rules along the way. German law dictates that young people under the age of 18 cannot work past 8pm on any given day. That legislation is relaxed slightly when it come to athletes, who can do their job until 11pm.

Spain’s clash with Albania is due to get underway at 9pm local time, which will push Yamal close to the 11pm curfew. Labour laws also take into account everything that happens at the end of a working day – press duty, signing autographs etc – so Yamal could end up landing the Spanish FA with a €30,000 fine.

German news outlet Bild reports that Spain are confident of avoiding any sporting punishment for fielding Yamal, but they may be stung financially. Luis de la Fuente does have the option of resting Yamal, with La Roja already safely through to the last 16 of Euro 2024 after taking maximum points from their opening two games.