Lazio Women are ordered to pay compensation to former midfielder Maja Göthberg after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rules the club unlawfully ends her employment because of her pregnancy. The dispute centers on whether Lazio continued with contract arrangements and employment terms after Göthberg disclosed she was pregnant. CAS finds that the termination was discriminatory and breaches relevant FIFA maternity-related employment protections.
The ruling is described as a landmark decision under updated FIFA maternity regulations introduced in 2024. It is presented as the first CAS case in which the tribunal finds a club unlawfully ended a player’s employment relationship due to pregnancy. The decision also emphasizes the tribunal’s approach to the contract status at the time of termination, noting it rules in the player’s favour even though Göthberg had not signed a proposed new contract at that point.
Both reports agree on the core outcome: CAS determines the club’s actions are unlawful and orders Lazio Women to compensate Göthberg for the discrimination-related breach.
