Landmark Ruling Against Lazio Women
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ruled that Lazio Women unlawfully terminated the employment of Swedish footballer Maja Göthberg because of her pregnancy. The Italian club has been ordered to pay compensation in a landmark case under FIFA's enhanced maternity regulations.
This is the first successful case at CAS where a club was found to have unlawfully ended a player's employment due to pregnancy. Notably, the court ruled in Göthberg's favor even though she had not signed her proposed new contract at the time.
Background of the Case
Göthberg helped Lazio win promotion to Italy's top division during the 2023-24 season. After the season, she entered contract negotiations with the club. Although no formal contract was signed, both parties had agreed on the key terms. Before signing, Göthberg discovered she was pregnant. Despite not being legally obligated to inform Lazio at that stage, she chose to disclose her pregnancy. CAS was informed that Lazio subsequently withdrew from the contract agreement. Additionally, Göthberg's teammates were told about her pregnancy without her consent.
Player's Statement
Göthberg, who initially lost her case at FIFA's dispute resolution chamber before appealing to CAS, said: "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."
FIFPro Support
Alexandra Gómez Bruinewoud, legal director at the players' union FIFPro, who supported Göthberg's case, 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."
Evidence and Additional Ruling
WhatsApp messages were key evidence presented to CAS, supporting Göthberg's account of her communication with Lazio. The messages proved the club knew about her pregnancy, which they initially denied. CAS also found Lazio breached confidentiality rules by disclosing Göthberg's pregnancy to teammates without consent, and she was awarded additional financial compensation for that violation.
Impact on Women's Football
Göthberg, who has also played for clubs in Finland and Sweden, said: "I hope the case helps create a safer environment for players who want to have both a career and a family." The ruling is expected to set a precedent for protecting pregnant players in professional football.
