Bayern's 16-Year-Old Goalkeeper Faces Legal Challenge Before UCL Debut Bayern Munich’s 16-year-old goalkeeper, Leonard Prescott, could make his Champions League debut, but the club faces a legal hurdle under German labor laws. The young player, who has never appeared in senior matches, is set to face Atalanta in a UCL match scheduled for 9 PM, a time that conflicts with Germany’s restrictions on minors working past 8 PM. Under the Jugendarbeitsschutzgesetz (Youth Employment Protection Act), children under 18 are prohibited from working after 8 PM. Since the UCL match begins at 9 PM and extends past 11, Prescott would need a special exemption permit from a government trade supervisory body to participate. The process requires approval from his parents, school, and a paediatrician, according to reports from German outlet Gazpachen. Bayern has already submitted the application, but the final decision remains pending. Even if the permit is granted, the law would still impose strict conditions. Prescott would be entitled to 12 hours of uninterrupted rest, meaning he could not engage in training until midday the following day. This raises questions about how Bayern might manage his schedule while preparing for the match. The club’s goalkeeper situation is dire, with Manuel Neuer absent and other options either injured or deemed too risky for high-stakes games. This has left Bayern with few alternatives, potentially forcing them to rely on Prescott’s debut. If allowed, the move would make him the youngest goalkeeper in Champions League history, achieving the milestone at 16 years and 176 days. Prescott’s journey from ball boy to potential history-maker highlights the extraordinary circumstances surrounding his possible debut.#bayern_munich #champions_league #manuel_neuer #leonard_prescott #jugendarbeitsschutzgesetz
