EURO 2024: 11PM rule for minors to limit Lamine Yamal’s impact in final
The Euro 2024 final between Spain and England on Sunday night could see a major regulation affecting one of Spain’s key players, Lamine Yamal.
Due to German labour laws, minors, defined as anyone under 18, are not allowed to work past 11 PM.
If the match extends into extra time, the 17-year-old Yamal would have to be substituted, and won’t participate in penalties, if it gets to that.
Yamal, who turned 17 on Saturday, has been a standout performer in the tournament and is a strong contender for the Player of the Tournament award.
His impact has been crucial for Spain, and many believe he could be a game-changer in the final.
Given the close competition between Spain and England, with both teams needing extra time in their earlier knockout stages, the possibility of extra time in the final is high.
According to reports by CaughtOffside, this could pose a problem for Yamal, as German authorities will enforce the law requiring his substitution if the match runs past 11 PM.
Spain’s head coach, Luis de la Fuente, would be forced to replace Yamal, potentially giving England an advantage.
While Spain has depth and quality in their squad, finding a substitute who can match Yamal’s impact might be challenging.
The Sunday showdown is slated for 8PM West African Time, which is 9PM in Germany.