Playing on the right wing, the Spanish prodigy Lamine Yamal is lighting up Euro 2024. The 16-year-old has bagged an impressive two assists from four games, ahead of Spain’s semi-final against France. Yamal has already made history with Spain and is a key player as they look to win a fourth Euro title. Despite that, coach Luis de la Fuente can’t allow the Barcelona star to play for 90 minutes.

It is possible that Spain will end up missing Yamal’s services for some part of their Euro semi-final. Why so? Because the Spanish coach is at the risk of breaching an important German law.

The law Spain could break if Lamine Yamal plays 90 minutes against France

As per Germany’s labor law, youngsters under 18 cannot work past 8 PM on any given day. There is still an exception for athletes, as they are allowed to play till 11 PM. Even so, the Spanish entourage is not off the hook, for fielding Lamine Yamal for a full game. Most of Spain’s Euro games started at 9 PM (German time) and ended after 11 PM when post-match media conferences are also considered. Spain’s coveted semi-final is no outlier.

It falls in the same time band. Moreover, the game could reach extra time and, even, penalties since this is a knockout fixture. Hence, it is possible that Yamal would miss the game after a certain period in the second half.

In the group stage, Yamal was subbed off against Croatia, in the 86th minute. In the two 9 PM kickoffs, he played 71 minutes in the win over Italy and against Albania, he was sent late on with 18 minutes remaining. Thus with a similar kickoff time for their next knockout game, could Yamal see his game time cut short? There is a loophole that could yet see him feature for the entire duration of the match, but it comes with a cost.

If the Spanish camp chooses to keep Yamal on the field beyond the permitted time, they will have to pay the authorities a hefty fine. Before the round of 16 game against Georgia, slated for a 9 PM kickoff, de la Fuente brushed off the concerns about breaking the law. “I don’t know the German legislation. Does Lamine have to be removed by 23:00? I don’t think so,” he said.

Yamal played the full 90 minutes as La Roja won 4-1. But it technically left the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) facing a fine of around $32,500. It is unclear whether the German authorities slapped the RFEF with the fine.

The Germany-Spain quarterfinal was yet again a 6 PM affair, which meant no such issues concerned de la Fuente and Yamal. However, the semifinal against France and the possible final against either England or The Netherlands will both have a 9 PM kick-off time. With Spain pinning their hopes on his young shoulders and him being a crucial attacking threat, it is hard to see him being dropped or missing the majority of the action for his country in these matches.

If Yamal plays more than 90 minutes in each of these games, Spain’s football federation could end up paying a sufficient amount of money in fines. However, the RFEF will be happy to splurge on penalties, considering what the 16-year-old Yamal has been bringing to the table.

Meanwhile, the La Masia graduate is already juggling his academics while on national duty in the Euros. In fact, he brought his homework with him and had to attend online classes.

Lamine Yamal learned about his exam results during the Euro 2024 campaign

Lamine Yamal is Spain’s youngest debutant and youngest goal scorer in his country’s history. He achieved this feat in September 2023 against Georgia at 16-years and 57 days old. As he eyes more records and glory with Spain, he also had to contend with his academics at the Euros.

At the start of the tournament, Yamal revealed that he had taken his homework with him to Germany. “I brought my homework here because I’m in the 4th year of ESO. I have online classes too and those are going fine. I hope the teacher doesn’t get mad at me,” he said.

Yamal had previously mentioned that he would be unable to attend the online classes if Spain ended up going deep into the tournament. “If we make it to the final, I won’t be able to attend classes anymore. I hope my teachers come along with the team, are happy, and give me a passing grade,” Yamal joked.

In June only, outlet Cadena Cope confirmed that he passed the exams for his fourth year of ESO, the third stage of the Spanish education system. It looks like the stars are aligning for the young Barcelona star as he hopes to take his nation to the European championship glory, not seen since 2012.

Even, if he does falter, it has been a tournament to remember for Lamine Yamal and his fans.