Iceland footballer wins landmark maternity pay case

Female footballer for Iceland, Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir, has been awarded more than £72,000 in a landmark maternity pay case after taking her former club, Lyon to a FIFA tribunal. The 32-year old claimed her former employer did not pay her full salary when she was not working after the birth of her son.

The French club- following the defeat- has been ordered to pay their former footballer a total of €82,094.82- with an additional 5% annual interest from September 10th of 2022, until the full amount has been cleared.

This story is bigger than me! It’s a wake up call for all clubs and it’s a message to all players that if they get pregnant or want to get pregnant during their career they have their rights and guarantees!@PlayersTribune @FIFPRO https://t.co/Rnzj7lua9g

— Sara Björk (@sarabjork18) January 17, 2023

In a Twitter post marking her victory, the midfielder, who is currently in Italy playing for Juventus, tweeted: "This is not "just business".

"This is about my human rights as a worker, as a woman, and as a human being...This story is bigger than me!" she added.

"It's a wake-up call for all clubs and it's a message to all players that if they get pregnant or want to get pregnant during their career, they have their rights and guarantees!"

Since FIFA’s maternity regulations came into force in January 2021, this is the first ruling of its kind.

Gunnarsdottir wished to return home to Iceland for the end of her pregnancy, and decided to take action after being denied her full pay. She sought assistance from French players' union, the Union Nationale des Footballeurs Professionnels, and later, enlisted help from global representative body, FIFPRO, which supports professional football players across the globe.

Reacting to FIFA’s ruling, the FIFPRO said the ruling against Lyon, sends a clear message that "the strict application of maternity rights is enforceable". They also issued a public congratulations to Sara on its social media channels.

Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir’s landmark ruling against former club Olympique Lyonnais sends a clear message to clubs and footballers worldwide:

The strict application of maternity rights is enforceable.

🔗 https://t.co/SmInzY0xBs pic.twitter.com/aXd4zbazFm

— FIFPRO (@FIFPRO) January 17, 2023

Similar praise rained down on the 32-year old from fans and fellow footballers, including former Lioness and English football coach, Anita Asante.

Well done Sara for being bold & standing up for yourself whilst holding your club to account! You have not only highlighted a significant problem in football but hopefully, have contributed to making the path easier for the next professional player who decides to start a family.

— Anita Asante (@NicenNeetz) January 17, 2023

Among those that expressed their delight at the ruling in favour of Sara were Scottish and Arsenal player Jen Beattie, and Canadian footballer and double Olympic gold medalist Desiree Scott.

Wow incredibly powerful piece. Credit to you @sarabjork18 for speaking out on such an important topic for women in work. And @PlayersTribune for putting it together 👏🏼 https://t.co/2W3uCeha5W

— Jen Beattie (@jbeattie91) January 18, 2023

Thank you for sharing your story with the world! It could not have been easy. But it will inspire and affect change and I’m happy you fought for YOU! Have a read people. Still work to be done. Clearly. https://t.co/Hj7Iw4It2e

— Desiree Scott (@MsDScott11) January 17, 2023

The maternity rules, as stated by FIFA dictate that "A female player is entitled to maternity leave, defined as a minimum period of 14 weeks' paid absence - with at least eight weeks after birth - during the term of the contract, paid at the equivalent of two-thirds of her contracted salary."

Lyon have yet to comment on the ruling.