West Brom's Heggebo Given Two-Match Ban for Deception

West Bromwich Albion forward Aune Heggebo has been given a two-match ban for deception after a handball contributed to a goal in the club's Championship opener against Norwich City. Head coach James Morrison said the Football Association's decision created a standard that must now be applied consistently across the season, BBC Sport reported.

The incident occurred when Jimmy-Jay Morgan sent in a cross during West Brom's 2-1 victory at Norwich. The ball struck Heggebo's hand on its way into the net, giving Albion the lead. Referee Tim Robinson allowed the goal, but the episode was subsequently reviewed under the FA's rules concerning deception of a match official.

Heggebo became the first player charged with that offence since the rule was introduced for the 2017-18 season, according to BBC Sport. The 25-year-old Norway international joined West Brom in July 2025 and has scored 10 Championship goals in 47 appearances for the club.

Morrison disputed the characterization of the incident, saying the contact was accidental. He said the cross had flicked off the goalkeeper's hands before hitting Heggebo and argued that the player could not reasonably have been expected to alert the referee after the goal was awarded. Morrison also said the forward was upset because he felt the charge effectively portrayed him as a cheat.

The suspension has already ruled Heggebo out of one league fixture. He missed West Brom's 3-1 Championship win over Burnley on Sunday and will also be unavailable for Wednesday's Carabao Cup tie away to Newcastle United, which is scheduled to kick off at 19:45 BST.

Although Morrison said West Brom would accept the punishment, he expressed disappointment with the decision and said it had opened difficult questions for the FA about which incidents qualify as deception. His central demand was consistency: if similar cases occur elsewhere during the campaign, he said they should be treated in the same manner. The case therefore establishes an early-season reference point for enforcement of a rule that had not previously produced a player charge.