Landmark Ruling Against Lazio Women
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ruled that Lazio Women unlawfully terminated Swedish footballer Maja Göthberg's employment because of her pregnancy, ordering the Italian club to pay compensation. This is the first successful CAS case under FIFA's enhanced maternity regulations, which were updated in 2024.
CAS found that Lazio withdrew from a contract agreement after Göthberg disclosed her pregnancy, even though the contract had not been formally signed. The court also determined that Lazio breached confidentiality by informing Göthberg's teammates of her pregnancy without her consent.
Details of the Case
Göthberg helped Lazio win promotion to Italy's top tier during the 2023-24 season. She then entered contract negotiations, and although no deal was signed, both parties had agreed on key terms. Before signing, Göthberg discovered she was pregnant and voluntarily informed the club, despite not being legally required to do so. CAS was told that Lazio subsequently withdrew from the contract agreement.
Göthberg initially lost her case at FIFA's dispute resolution chamber, leading her to appeal to CAS. WhatsApp messages were key evidence, supporting Göthberg's account of communications with Lazio and proving the club knew about her pregnancy, which they initially denied.
Player and Union Reactions
Göthberg stated: "This was never only about football: it was about being treated fairly and with respect at an important moment in my life. The ruling sends a message that pregnancy should never be treated as a problem or a reason to deny a player labour opportunities."
Alexandra Gómez Bruinewoud, legal director at players' union FIFPRO, said: "This case shows that FIFA's maternity regulations are not just words on paper and that they provide real protections for players. Clubs cannot simply walk away from an employment relationship, even if this is not fully formalised, once they learn a player is pregnant."
Compensation and Impact
Göthberg was awarded financial compensation for both the unlawful termination and the breach of confidentiality. She has played for clubs in Finland and Sweden during her career. She added: "I hope the case helps create a safer environment for players who want to have both a career and a family."
The ruling sets a precedent under FIFA's maternity regulations, emphasizing that clubs cannot discriminate against players due to pregnancy, even before a contract is formally signed.
