CAS's Gothberg ruling reinforces FIFA maternity protections, says FIFPRO

June 24 : A recent Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling in favour of Swedish defender Maja Gothberg has been hailed by player advocates and legal experts as a landmark decision for women's football and pregnancy-related contract termination.

CAS ruled earlier this month that Italian club Lazio Women had unlawfully ended Gothberg's employment after learning she was pregnant and ordered the club to pay compensation, according to global players' union FIFPRO. 

The court also found that Gothberg's pregnancy had been disclosed without her consent, establishing a precedent regarding the confidentiality of pregnancy-related medical information.

Reuters has contacted Lazio for comment.

The case stems from the summer of 2024, after Gothberg helped Lazio secure promotion to Italy's top flight. 

Although no new contract had been formally signed, CAS found that the player and club had agreed on the essential terms of a renewed employment relationship through their communications.

Gothberg informed the club that she was pregnant before the deal was finalised, after which the relationship broke down. Lazio later argued no contract existed, while Gothberg maintained the club withdrew from the agreement because of her pregnancy.

The dispute eventually reached CAS after an initial defeat for Gothberg before FIFA's Dispute Resolution Chamber. In its ruling, CAS concluded that Lazio had unlawfully disadvantaged the player because of her pregnancy and awarded salary compensation and moral damages.

"This case was never only about football: it was about being treated fairly and with respect at an important moment in my life," Gothberg said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The ruling sends a message that pregnancy should never be treated as a