CAS orders Lazio Women to pay compensation for pregnancy

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has ordered Italian club Lazio Women to pay compensation to former player Maja Göthberg, ruling the club unlawfully ended its employment relationship with the Swedish defender after learning she was pregnant. The landmark decision, announced on Wednesday, marks the first time CAS has found a football club terminated a player's employment due to pregnancy and upholds strengthened FIFA maternity regulations.

Göthberg, a former Sweden youth international, played for Lazio during the 2023-24 season, helping the team win promotion to Italy's top-flight Serie A. During the summer of 2024, while negotiating a new contract for the following season, Göthberg discovered she was pregnant and informed the club. Although the essential financial terms of a one-year deal worth 64,000 euros had been agreed, no final document was signed. After her disclosure, the relationship broke down and contract talks ceased.

Lazio argued that no binding contract existed and that Göthberg had chosen not to continue with the club. However, CAS rejected that argument, finding that a binding employment relationship was in place based on agreed terms, draft contracts,...