Controversy has arisen over the past few hours regarding Lamine Yamal’s participation with the Spain national team, against Georgia this evening, in the round of 16 of the Euro 2024 tournament.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente responded to a question about Lamine Yamal’s position on participating in the entire match against Georgia, due to fear of violating a German law, which stipulates that minors cannot work or be outside their homes after 11 pm.
De La Fuente said in statements during the press conference: “We are all responsible for Lamine’s safety. We will do our job and allow him to play. Nothing more than that. I do not know the German legislation or laws regarding whether Lamine should leave at 11 p.m., but We don’t think so.”
The law that sparked controversy over the participation of 16-year-old Lamine Yamal states that minors (anyone under the age of 18) cannot work in Germany after 11pm.
The Spain-Georgia match will kick off at 9pm German time, so if the match goes into extra time or if several minutes of stoppage time are added, the Spanish team will be threatened if Lamine Yamal continues on the field, with a fine of up to 30,000 euros, but it is likely that this law will not be applied to the Spanish player.