Full Breakdown
CAS Rules in Favor of Maja Gothberg, Reinforcing Pregnancy Rights in Football
6/24/2026, 11:00:24 PM
CAS Ruling and Compensation
On 26 May 2026, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that Lazio Women unlawfully terminated midfielder Maja Gothberg after learning she was pregnant. CAS ordered Lazio to pay €64,000 for the proposed contract, €5,333 for breach of personality rights, and an equal amount for disclosing her pregnancy, totaling over €69,000 with interest.
Context: FIFA Maternity Rules and Prior Cases
In 2024 FIFA introduced stronger maternity regulations requiring clubs to keep pregnant players employed and to protect pregnancy-related medical data. The Gothberg case is the first CAS decision applying those rules to deem a termination unlawful, building on the 2022 Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir-Lyon case that secured contractual protection during pregnancy.
Stakeholders
Maja Gothberg, a 28-year-old Swedish midfielder, helped Lazio win promotion to Serie A in 2023-24. Lazio Women is the club accused of withdrawing a contract offer and revealing her pregnancy. FIFPro, represented by legal director Alexandra Gomez Bruinewoud, supported Gothberg. CAS acted as arbitrator.
Timeline of Key Events
Summer 2024 – Gothberg informs Lazio of her pregnancy during contract talks. July 18 2024 – medical tests in Rome cancelled after pregnancy symptoms. March 2025 – FIFA DRC rejects claim. 26 May 2026 – CAS awards compensation.
Responses and Counterarguments
FIFPro’s legal director said the ruling confirms FIFA’s maternity rules are enforceable and clubs cannot abandon a player once pregnancy is known. Lazio denied discrimination, argued no signed contract existed, and contested the claim that staff disclosed the pregnancy. CAS rejected these points, finding sufficient evidence of an employment relationship and a confidentiality breach.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The Guardian cites “over €69,000” in compensation, while the New York Times details €64,000 for the contract plus €5,333 for personality-rights damages. Both agree the termination was unlawful; Lazio has not commented publicly to the BBC.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This was never only about football: it was about being treated fairly and with respect at an important moment in my life. The ruling sends a message that pregnancy should never be treated as a problem or a reason to deny a player labour opportunities.” — Maja Gothberg, midfielder
- “The ruling sends a message that pregnancy should never be treated as a problem or a reason to deny a player labour opportunities.” — Maja Gothberg
- “ Alexandra Gómez Bruinewoud, the legal director at the players’ union, Fifpro, who supported Göthberg’s battle, said: “This case shows that Fifa’s maternity regulations are not just words on paper and that they provide real protections for players.” — Alexandra Gomez Bruinewoud, FIFPro legal director
- “Clubs cannot simply walk away from an employment relationship, even if this is not fully formalised, once they learn a player is pregnant.” — Alexandra Gomez Bruinewoud
Implications and Future Outlook
The decision creates a binding precedent that pregnancy-related termination violates FIFA’s 2024 maternity rules and that medical confidentiality must be upheld. It signals to European clubs that contractual duties persist regardless of pregnancy, likely prompting policy changes. FIFPro is prepared to back further claims, and analysts expect greater scrutiny of club practices concerning pregnant athletes.
