The FA set dangerous precedent as new rule used to ban EFL star

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Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

West Bromwich Albion striker Aune Heggebo has been banned for two matches after deliberately scoring with his hand during their 2-1 win over Norwich City last weekend.

The 25-year-old opened the scoring in the 75th minute at Carrow Road, but he used his arm to turn home Jimmy-Jay Morgan’s cross, which was missed by the match officials on the day.

After the match, Norwich boss Philippe Clement told reporters: “It was clearly with the arm that the player scores - we could see that from where we were watching, 50 yards away. It was the decisive moment in the game and should have been spotted.

“There are four officials and one of them should have seen it. Maybe the referee didn’t have the best view - but the linesman on our side needs to see that. Missing game-changing moments like this shouldn’t happen. It has cost us at least two, maybe three points.”

Following an investigation, Heggebo has been charged with a breach of Rule E3.1, with the FA alleging that he did “successfully deceive a match official by handling the ball in a direct successful attempt to score a goal.” On Thursday, a regulatory commission upheld the misconduct charge and the striker has been handed a two-game suspension.

As a result, Heggebo will miss West Brom’s Championship clash against Burnley on Sunday and their Carabao Cup tie versus Newcastle United on Wednesday.

EFL use new rule for the first time

Rule E3.1 was introduced ahead of the 2024/25 season and, in a club statement, West Brom wrote: “The charge is believed to be the first of its kind in English football.”

They added: “Albion appealed on Wednesday, stating the ball took a deflection from the goalkeeper immediately before making contact with Heggebo’s arm, which materially affected the ball's trajectory and left him with less than 0.1 of a second to react. Given the accidental nature of the handball, the club argued it could not be reasonably viewed as a deliberate act of deception.

“On Thursday, the matter was placed before a Regulatory Commission, which upheld the charge.

“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.”

A dangerous precedent or the right decision?

With no VAR in the EFL, match officials were unable to reverse their decision to award Heggebo’s goal on the pitch, but the striker has now been banned after evidence of cheating.

Following the ban, it has been questioned whether a dangerous precedent has been set by this decision. What constitutes a high enough level of ‘cheating’ to warrant a match suspension and would such a punishment only be issued if a goal directly results from the incident? Diving has been a common part of football in the 21st century and with no VAR, would a player receive a retrospective ban if they are found guilty of diving?

While Heggebo’s punishment may well dissuade others from following suit, and is certainly the correct decision given the act, it threatens to open up a can of worms that could cause the FA serious problems in the future.