“This was never just about football. It was about being treated fairly and with respect during an important period in my life,” says Maja Göthberg in a press release.
Maja Göthberg negotiated a contract extension at Serie A club Lazio in the summer of 2024. The parties had verbally agreed but nothing was written, reports Aftonbladet.
In connection with this, Göthberg told the club that she was pregnant. Göthberg also asked that the information be treated confidentially because the pregnancy was in a very early stage and the family had not been informed.
But Lazio then reversed course and claimed that there was no binding agreement. The case was reported to FIFA, which ruled in Lazio’s favor. Göthberg appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) as she believed that Lazio withdrew after she announced her pregnancy.
On Wednesday, the decision came from CAS, which fined the Italian club. Lazio must pay just over 700,000 kronor in compensation and damages because information about the pregnancy was spread without her consent.
“This case shows how important it is to have rules that give players real protection. The ruling will mean a lot to Maja, and to many others. Clubs are not allowed to terminate an employment contract just because they find out that the player is pregnant,” says Alexandra Gomez Bruinewoud at the players’ union FIFPRO.
