Heggebo controversially opened the scoring at Carrow Road last weekend Naomi Baker via Getty ImagesAug. 20, 2026 4:20 pm EDT Updated Aune Heggebo, the West Bromwich Albion forward, has been banned for two matches after the Football Association found he had “successfully deceived” a match official in their 2-1 win away to Norwich City in the Championship.Heggebo, 25, controversially opened the scoring at Carrow Road last Saturday, deflecting a left-wing cross into the net with his outstretched arm.The FA charged Heggebo on Tuesday with a breach of Rule E3.1 and despite West Brom launching an appeal, a regulatory commission ruled on Thursday that the player must serve a two-game suspension due to him “handling the ball in a direct and successful attempt to score a goal.”
Aune Heggebø will serve a two-match suspension after an appeal against a charge of misconduct was unsuccessful.
We remain steadfast in our support of Aune, whose character and integrity have been evident throughout his time at The Hawthorns.
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) August 20, 2026Retrospective disciplinary action has previously been taken against players guilty of simulation but West Brom, who repeated their defence of Heggebo in a statement on Thursday night, are of the belief that this charge is the first of its kind in English football following a rule change two years ago.
