Gunnarsdottir wins FIFA claim against Lyon over pregnancy pay
The Hindu
The 32-year-old on Tuesday hailed the ruling as a guarantee of financial security for all female players, in an open letter published in The Players' Tribune
French club Lyon was ordered by FIFA to compensate former player Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir for an effective pay cut during her pregnancy.
The 32-year-old on Tuesday hailed the ruling as a guarantee of financial security for all female players, in an open letter published in The Players' Tribune.
Global players' union FIFPro also hailed what they called "a landmark ruling", a decision passed down by the FIFA football tribunal in May 2022.
Lyon, record eight-time Women's Champions League winners, put Gunnarsdottir on maternity leave in 2021.
FIFA said clubs must pay pregnant players their full salary and ruled against Lyon.
Gunnarsdottir joined from Wolfsburg in 2020. She helped Lyon win the French title and also scored in their Champions League final win over Wolfsburg.
In early 2021 she became pregnant, but continued to play and train until returning to Iceland, with a plan for an immediate return to France after the birth.
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