A volleyball player, in conflict with a former club that believes it was financially penalized by her pregnancy two years ago, is mobilizing in Italy on the situation of sportswomen with regard to maternity.
An association for the defense of athletes, Assist, has announced its intention to seize the head of government Mario Draghi and the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) to improve the protection of sportswomen who do not have professional status.
At the origin of the movement, a message posted on Facebook by a volleyball player, Lara Lugli, on Sunday, on the eve of International Women's Day.
This 41-year-old sportswoman tells how her contract was interrupted in March 2019 when she became pregnant, under a clause providing for it, while she was playing in a 3rd division club, in Pordenone.
She explains that she then had a miscarriage and did not come back to this club.
A summons to appear in court
Two years after this episode, Lara Lugli received a summons to appear in court, at the request of the club, which believes to have suffered damages as a result of this breach of contract.
A response from the club to the player who, for her part, had demanded the payment of the last salary of February 2019, not paid (around 1,000 euros according to the Italian press).
Lara Lugli Facebook
In this quote, posted by the player on Facebook, the club with amateur status explains that the absence of its captain would have had consequences on sports results and led to the withdrawal of sponsors.
The club also criticizes its ex-player, then 38, for not having informed him of his desire to have children.
"A woman, if she becomes pregnant cannot harm anyone and should not compensate anyone for it," writes Lara Lugli.
The club, in a statement, said that this quote was intended to "defend" against the financial demand of the player and not to have filed a request for compensation.
The government takes a stand for the player
For the Assist association, “this case is not only not unique and does not only concern volleyball, but highlights an unworthy practice” in clubs that do not have professional status.
Elena Bonetti, Italian Minister for Families, supported the player, as did Mariastella Gelmini, another member of the government, who denounced an "absurd and shameful affair".
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