West Brom's Heggebo banned for 'handball goal'

What the report says

West Bromwich Albion striker Aune Heggebo has been suspended for two matches by the Football Association after his goal in Saturday’s 2-1 Championship win at Norwich City was ruled to have been scored with his hand. BBC Sport Football reported that the Norway forward was charged under Rule E3.1 after the ball went in off his arm at Carrow Road in the 75th minute, putting West Brom ahead before they went on to secure the points.

According to the report, the FA said Heggebo had successfully deceived a match official by handling the ball in a direct attempt to score, and an independent commission upheld the misconduct charge on Thursday. West Brom had argued the contact was accidental and that a deflection off the Norwich goalkeeper left Heggebo with very little time to react, but that appeal did not succeed.

The ban means Heggebo will miss West Brom’s next two matches, including Sunday’s Championship game against Burnley and the Carabao Cup second-round tie away to Newcastle United on 26 August. BBC Sport said the case is believed to be the first of its kind in English football under a rule change introduced before the 2024-25 season, and West Brom said they would seek clarification from the FA on how similar incidents should be judged in future.