West Brom's Heggebo handed two-match ban for handball goal in Championship opener

West Brom forward Aune Heggebo has been handed a two-match suspension for “successful deception of a match official” after scoring a handball goal in the Baggies’ 2-1 Championship victory over Norwich at Carrow Road on the opening weekend of the season.

The Football Association charged the Norwegian with misconduct under FA Rule E3.1 following his 75th-minute goal, which on-field officials allowed to stand despite immediate protests from Norwich players and staff. Heggebo contested the charge, but an independent regulatory commission found it proven and imposed the ban after a hearing.

West Brom described the charge as believed to be “the first of its kind in English football”, arising from a regulatory change introduced ahead of the 2024-25 season. The club’s defence argued that the ball had deflected off the Norwich goalkeeper immediately before making contact with Heggebo’s arm, rendering any handball accidental.

“The club will now write to the FA requesting clarification on how a player is reasonably expected to react should similar circumstances arise in the future,” West Brom said in a statement. “Albion remain steadfast in their support of Aune, whose character and integrity have been evident throughout his time at The Hawthorns.”

Heggebo’s controversial opener set West Brom on their way, with Jimmy Jay-Morgan doubling the lead three minutes from time. Mathias Kvistgaarden pulled one back for Norwich in the first minute of added time, but the hosts could not find an equaliser.

The result gave West Brom a winning start to the Championship campaign, a run they extended with a 4-1 Carabao Cup victory over Rotherham to advance to the second round. The Midlands club host Burnley on Sunday before travelling to face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup second round at St James’ Park the following Wednesday.