Overview
- The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in favour of Swedish defender Maja Göthberg and found Lazio Women unlawfully ended a proposed employment relationship because she was pregnant.
- The panel ordered Lazio to pay more than €70,000 in salary compensation and moral damages, plus interest for the period identified in the ruling.
- WhatsApp messages between Göthberg and club representatives were central to proving that essential contract terms had been agreed and that the club knew about her pregnancy.
- CAS held that pregnancy information is sensitive medical data disclosed without consent, and placed the burden on the club to prove its actions were unrelated to the pregnancy once an employment relationship and termination were established.
- Player unions praised the ruling as a clear test of FIFA's 2024 maternity rules and it may strengthen enforcement by making clubs more accountable when negotiating with pregnant players.