A bombshell verdict has rocked the Italian football scene, as Lazio Women were ordered to cough up compensation after being found guilty of pregnancy discrimination against Swedish midfielder Maja Göthberg. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) has ruled that the Italian club breached Fifa's maternity regulations, handing down a landmark decision that will send shockwaves through the sport.
Göthberg, a 28-year-old midfielder who played a starring role in Lazio's promotion-winning campaign last season, had been negotiating a new contract with the club when she revealed her pregnancy to them. The response was swift and damning – Lazio promptly withdrew from the agreement, sparking a bitter dispute that would eventually land at Cas.
The court heard how Göthberg's teammates were informed of her pregnancy without her consent, while WhatsApp messages revealed that Lazio had been aware of her situation all along, despite their initial denials. The club was also found to have breached rules around confidentiality and private medical information – a toxic cocktail of mistakes that ultimately led to Cas intervening.
Göthberg, who has played for top-flight clubs in Finland and Sweden, has hailed the ruling as a major breakthrough for women's football. "This decision sends out a clear message: pregnancy is not a problem, it's an opportunity," she said, as she looked forward to creating a safer environment for players who want to balance their careers with family life.