CAS Orders Lazio Women to Pay €69,000 to Maja Gothberg in Pregnancy Contract Case
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 24
CAS Orders Lazio Women to Pay €69,000 to Maja Gothberg in Pregnancy Contract Case
1 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 24
Summary
More than €69,000 in compensation was awarded to former Lazio player Maja Gothberg after the Court of Arbitration for Sport found the club unlawfully ended her employment relationship because of her pregnancy.
CAS said a binding 2024-25 contract already existed before Gothberg disclosed her pregnancy, rejecting Lazio's claim that her missing a July 18 trip to Rome for medical tests and training meant she had withdrawn.
Messages cited in the ruling also undercut Lazio's argument that Gothberg's agent was negotiating with Parma, showing instead that the player was not available for transfer.
FIFPro called the decision groundbreaking, saying it sets an important precedent on the confidentiality of pregnancy-related medical information in women's football.
The ruling is the first time CAS has awarded compensation to a player for unlawfully ending an employment relationship due to pregnancy, making it a landmark case for the sport.
Did one player's legal battle just expose a global problem for pregnant athletes?
How can clubs now balance team needs with a player's right to start a family?
CAS Ruling Against Lazio Women: A Turning Point for Maternity Protections in Women's Sports
Overview
In the summer of 2024, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) delivered a landmark ruling against Lazio Women, setting a crucial precedent for maternity rights in women's football. The case began when Swedish footballer Maja Gothberg, who had helped Lazio secure promotion to Italy’s top league, entered contract negotiations with the club. After she disclosed her pregnancy, the relationship between Gothberg and Lazio deteriorated, leading to a dispute over her employment. CAS found that, despite the absence of a formally signed contract, both parties had agreed on essential terms, making the agreement binding. This decision marks the first of its kind, reinforcing legal protections for women athletes and highlighting the importance of upholding maternity rights in professional sports.