Lazio Women unlawfully terminated the contract of Maja Göthberg, a Swedish footballer, due to her pregnancy, as ruled by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). This landmark case marks the first instance where CAS determined a club had violated employment rights related to a player's pregnancy, ordering the Italian club to pay compensation.

The ruling stemmed from FIFA’s enhanced maternity regulations implemented in 2024. Göthberg, who played a crucial role in helping Lazio secure promotion to Italy’s top tier during the 2023-24 campaign, entered contract negotiations with the club but had not signed an agreement when she discovered her pregnancy. Despite not being required to disclose this information, Göthberg informed Lazio, which subsequently withdrew from their agreement. Notably, her teammates learned of her pregnancy without her consent, violating her privacy.

Göthberg expressed that her case was about fairness and respect during a pivotal time in her life, stating, "This was never only about football: it was about being treated fairly and with respect at an important moment in my life."

Alexandra Gómez Bruinewoud, legal director at the players’ union Fifpro, emphasized that this ruling demonstrates FIFA’s maternity regulations offer real protections, stating, "Clubs cannot simply walk away from an employment relationship... once they learn a player is pregnant."

Evidence, including WhatsApp messages, confirmed Lazio's awareness of Göthberg’s pregnancy, contradicting their initial denials. CAS also found Lazio violated confidentiality rules by disclosing her medical information to teammates. Göthberg received financial compensation for this breach as well. She hopes this case fosters a safer environment for players balancing careers and family.