Heggebo ban opens can of worms for FA - West Brom boss Morrison

What the report says

West Bromwich Albion head coach James Morrison has criticised the Football Association after Aune Heggebo received a two-match ban for “deception” following a handball-related goal in the club’s opening Championship game against Norwich City. BBC Sport reported that the Norway forward became the first player charged under the rule since it was introduced in the 2017-18 season.

The incident came in Albion’s 2-1 win at Norwich, when Jimmy-Jay Morgan’s cross struck Heggebo’s hand before going in. Morrison said the contact was accidental and argued that the striker should not be expected to alert the referee after the ball deflected off the goalkeeper and then onto him. He said the sanction had left Heggebo upset because it implied he had cheated.

According to BBC Sport, Heggebo missed West Brom’s 3-1 Championship win over Burnley and is also set to sit out the club’s Carabao Cup tie away to Newcastle United. Morrison said that if the FA intended to apply the rule, it should do so consistently across the season.

The case is notable because it highlights how football authorities interpret deception and handball-related goals, an area that can be controversial when an incident appears accidental. Heggebo, 25, has scored 10 Championship goals in 47 appearances since joining West Brom in July 2025, BBC Sport said.