Spain's national team may face a financial penalty during the Euro 2024 currently taking place in Germany if their promising star Lamine Jamal participates in the round of 16 match against Georgia this Sunday evening. Jamal, of Moroccan origin, became the youngest player in the history of the UEFA European Championship by participating in the first match of Group B against Croatia at the age of 16 years and 338 days, and also the youngest player to assist a goal in the tournament.
According to German law, children under the age of 18, whether foreign or citizens, are not allowed to work after 8 PM local time to protect them in the workplace. However, the law allows athletes to participate until 11 PM, but this includes showering, media obligations, and other duties players perform.
The match between Spain and Georgia will kick off at 9 PM German time and could extend beyond 11 PM if either team requires extra time and penalties to break a tie. During the pre-match press conference, Spain's head coach, Luis de la Fuente, was asked about the German law prohibiting minors under 18 from working after 11 PM. He remarked, "Jamal has shown maturity that is not typical for his age, but he is still developing as a football player and as a person. We are all responsible in this process. We will do our job and allow him to play. Nothing more than that." He added: "I am not familiar with German legislation and whether we need to pull him out at 11 PM... we do not believe that is necessary."
