Lazio have been ordered to pay compensation to former midfielder Maja Gothberg after unlawfully ending her employment because of her pregnancy. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) ruled in favour of the Swedish player in what global players’ union FifPro called a ‘groundbreaking’ maternity case. The decision reaches far beyond Italy and lands directly on the conversation around maternity protection in England’s women’s game.
What Cas Actually Ruled
Cas ruled that Lazio unlawfully ended Maja Gothberg’s employment because of her pregnancy and ordered the club to pay compensation plus ‘moral damages’. The Italian club were also found to have disclosed information about her pregnancy to several team-mates without her consent.
Gothberg, a Sweden international, spent just one season at Lazio in 2023-24. FifPro hailed the verdict as ‘groundbreaking’, setting a precedent for every professional player who faces maternity-related discrimination.
Why the Case Matters for English Football
In England, maternity protection for players is anchored in FIFA’s regulations, which since 2021 have guaranteed a minimum of 14 weeks’ maternity leave paid at two-thirds of salary. The Cas decision strengthens that framework and sends a clear message to Women’s Super League clubs.
England’s players and the PFA follow rulings like this closely. Lazio’s punishment shows that international bodies are now willing to impose financial penalties on clubs that sidestep their obligations to pregnant players.
A Precedent That Carries Weight Before the 2026 World Cup
With major tournaments on the horizon, the ruling is a reminder that players’ rights are advancing off the pitch as well as on it. Maternity protection is becoming a serious bargaining point in elite players’ contract negotiations.
For the Lionesses and players across Europe, the Gothberg case confirms that Cas can be an effective route to justice. FifPro hopes the precedent will deter clubs from any future discrimination.
FAQ
Who is Maja Gothberg?
Maja Gothberg is a Swedish midfielder who played for Lazio in the 2023-24 season before her contract was unlawfully ended because of her pregnancy.
Why was Lazio ordered to pay compensation?
Cas ruled that the club unlawfully ended her employment due to her pregnancy and disclosed that information to team-mates without her consent.
What is Cas?
The Court of Arbitration for Sport is the international body that settles sporting disputes. Its rulings carry authority and set precedents for similar cases.
What maternity protection exists for players?
Since 2021, FIFA’s regulations have required a minimum of 14 weeks’ maternity leave paid at two-thirds of salary for professional footballers.
Does this ruling change anything for English football?
Yes, it strengthens the legal framework and sends a message to Women’s Super League clubs about their obligations to pregnant players.
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