The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne has ordered Italy’s Lazio Women to pay approximately €69,000 in salary compensation and moral damages to Swedish midfielder Maja Göthberg, after finding the club unlawfully withdrew from a contract renewal because of her pregnancy. The ruling, issued on Wednesday, marks the first time the tribunal has formally recognised a violation of FIFA’s maternity regulations by a club, according to the global players’ union FIFPRO.

Lazio, which had initially prevailed before FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber, acknowledged the CAS decision but stressed the exceptional circumstances. In a statement, the Rome-based club noted that the player communicated her pregnancy before the season began, before arriving at the club, and before any contract was signed. The club said the CAS panel did not apply additional sanctions under FIFA rules, recognising an absence of bad faith, and that negotiations were conducted solely through the player’s agent, with no direct contact. Lazio maintained it had operated on a legal assessment later deemed incorrect.

Göthberg, who helped Lazio gain promotion to Serie A in 2023–24, said the case was about being treated with fairness and respect, and that the ruling sends a message that pregnancy should never be a reason to deny a player work opportunities. FIFPRO legal director Alexandra Gomez Bruinewoud stated that the decision demonstrates FIFA’s maternity rules offer real protection and that clubs cannot simply exit an employment relationship, even if not fully formalised, once they learn of a pregnancy. The union described the judgment as historic and likely to shape future application of pregnancy safeguards in professional football.

The CAS found that a binding employment relationship existed based on a verbal agreement, even without a signed contract, and that Lazio’s withdrawal was directly linked to the pregnancy disclosure. The tribunal also determined that the club violated confidentiality by revealing Göthberg’s medical information to teammates without her consent. The ruling overturns an earlier FIFA decision in Lazio’s favour and is expected to influence how clubs handle contract negotiations involving pregnant players. Lazio has taken note of the decision and reiterated its commitment to inclusion and equal opportunities, while the case is now closed at the CAS level.