CAS Rules Lazio Women Unlawfully Terminated Player for Pregnancy
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ordered Italian club Lazio Women to pay compensation to Swedish midfielder Maja Gothberg for unlawfully terminating her contract due to pregnancy. The landmark ruling, the first under FIFA’s strengthened 2024 maternity regulations, found Lazio liable even without a signed contract, citing WhatsApp messages as evidence. The club also violated privacy by disclosing the pregnancy. FIFPro hailed the decision as groundbreaking, reinforcing protections for pregnant athletes.
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
CAS Ruling Strengthens Rights of Pregnant Female Footballers
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ruled in favor of Maja Gothberg, a female footballer who was denied a contract by Lazio after her pregnancy became known. The ruling mandates that Lazio pay compensation to Gothberg, establishing a legal precedent that protects prospective female professional footballers even in the absence of a formally signed contract. This decision for the first time provides clear legal certainty for expectant players, ensuring that contracts cannot be halted or revoked solely due to pregnancy. The case highlights ongoing issues of gender discrimination in sports and reinforces protections aligned with labor and human rights standards.
kicker Fußball NewsCAS Rules Lazio Women's Contract Withdrawal Over Player Pregnancy Illegal
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ruled that Lazio Women illegally terminated their relationship with Swedish player Majja Joteborg because of her pregnancy, ordering the club to pay compensation. This landmark case, the first under strengthened FIFA maternity regulations introduced in 2024, found Lazio liable even though Joteborg had not yet signed a proposed new contract. Joteborg, who helped Lazio gain promotion to Serie A, informed the club of her pregnancy during contract negotiations; Lazio subsequently withdrew the renewal and disclosed her pregnancy to teammates without consent. CAS relied on WhatsApp chat records as key evidence contradicting Lazio's denial of knowledge. FIFPRO legal director praised the ruling as validating the real protections of FIFA's regulations. Joteborg stated the decision sends a message that pregnancy should never be a reason to deny work opportunities.
虎扑 - 足球Lazio Ordered to Pay Compensation to Maja Gothberg After Terminating Contract During Pregnancy
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ruled that Italian club Lazio must pay financial compensation to Swedish midfielder Maja Gothberg for terminating her contract while she was pregnant, a landmark decision in football. The case began in summer 2024 when Gothberg and Lazio had agreed on key terms for a contract extension. After Gothberg disclosed her pregnancy, the club withdrew from the agreement and terminated her contract. Lazio claimed no formal contract existed, but CAS determined that WhatsApp messages proved a contractual agreement existed and that the club knew of the pregnancy. The court ruled that signing a contract is not mandatory for employment protections if both parties act as if one exists. The compensation amount has not been disclosed. The decision also noted that Lazio violated Gothberg's privacy by revealing her pregnancy without consent. The ruling could set a precedent for protecting pregnant athletes in football.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuLazio Women ordered to pay compensation after landmark CAS pregnancy discrimination ruling
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ruled that Italian club Lazio Women unlawfully ended Swedish footballer Maja Göthberg's employment because of her pregnancy, ordering the club to pay compensation. This landmark case is the first under FIFA's enhanced maternity regulations, which were updated in 2024. Notably, the court found in the player's favor even though she had not signed a proposed new contract at the time of the dismissal. The ruling sets a significant precedent for the protection of pregnant players in professional football, reinforcing that termination based on pregnancy violates FIFA's maternity regulations regardless of unsigned contracts.
Football | The GuardianLazio Women Ordered to Pay Compensation in Pregnancy Discrimination Case
Lazio Women have been ordered by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to pay compensation and moral damages to former midfielder Maja Gothberg for unlawfully terminating her employment due to pregnancy. The Swedish player's contract negotiations broke down after she informed the club of her pregnancy, though she was not legally obliged to do so. Lazio was also found to have disclosed her pregnancy to teammates without consent. The global players' union FifPro hailed the ruling as 'groundbreaking,' emphasizing that FIFA's Maternity Regulations provide real protections. Gothberg stated the case was about being treated fairly. The dispute was initially rejected by FIFA's Dispute Resolution Chamber before being taken to CAS. The ruling follows a similar 'landmark' case in 2023 where former Iceland captain Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir won a claim against Lyon for unpaid salary during pregnancy. The article also outlines FIFA's 2024 maternity regulation improvements, including 14 weeks paid leave for players and coaches.
BBC SportLazio Women ordered to pay compensation for unlawfully ending player's contract due to pregnancy
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ordered Lazio Women to pay compensation and moral damages to former Swedish midfielder Maja Gothberg for unlawfully terminating her employment due to pregnancy. The club was also found to have disclosed her pregnancy to teammates without consent. The ruling, described as 'groundbreaking' by global players' union FifPro, overturned an initial rejection by FIFA's Dispute Resolution Chamber. Gothberg, who helped Lazio secure promotion in the 2023-24 season, had agreed key contract terms via WhatsApp before revealing her pregnancy. Lazio later claimed she no longer wished to play. The case reinforces FIFA Maternity Regulations requiring clubs to prove termination is not pregnancy-related. It follows a similar 2023 case where former Iceland captain Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir won against Lyon for unpaid maternity wages.
BBC Sport