The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has delivered a decisive judgment that could reshape how football clubs handle pregnant players. In a case that has drawn worldwide attention, CAS ruled that Italian club Lazio Women unlawfully terminated the contract of Swedish midfielder Maja Gothberg after learning she was pregnant.
A Precedent for Maternity Rights
The tribunal concluded that Lazio had unlawfully disadvantaged Gothberg because of her pregnancy and ordered the club to pay compensation as well as moral damages. This is the first time CAS has found a football club terminated an employment relationship solely due to a player’s pregnancy, establishing a clear benchmark for future disputes.
Central to the ruling was the revelation that Gothberg’s pregnancy was disclosed without her consent, with WhatsApp messages between her and the club playing a pivotal role in proving the existence of an employment relationship and the club’s awareness of the pregnancy. The court also affirmed that information about a player’s pregnancy constitutes sensitive medical data that must be protected.
Implications for Players and Governing Bodies
The decision underscores the importance of FIFA’s maternity regulations, which were strengthened in 2024, and signals that clubs cannot simply walk away from an employment relationship once they learn a player is pregnant. FIFPRO legal director Alexandra Gomez Bruinewoud praised the ruling, stating it confirms that clubs cannot evade their obligations when a player becomes pregnant.
The case follows a high‑profile maternity dispute involving Iceland international Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir and Olympique Lyonnais in 2022, illustrating a growing scrutiny of how women’s football is governed. The Swedish player union Spelarforeningen assisted Gothberg throughout the process, highlighting the role of collective bargaining in safeguarding athletes’ rights.
Beyond the immediate financial compensation, the ruling sets a broader standard for protecting pregnant athletes across the sport, reinforcing that medical confidentiality and fair treatment are non‑negotiable. As the football community digests the implications, many expect the precedent to influence club policies and league regulations worldwide.