West Bromwich Albion head coach James Morrison has hit out at the Football Association after striker Aune Heggebo received a two-match suspension for deceiving a match official, insisting the disciplinary body has created a wider problem for the game.
The incident occurred during Albion's 2-1 opening-day victory over Norwich City in the Championship, when Jimmy-Jay Morgan's cross struck Heggebo's hand before crossing the line to put West Brom ahead. Referee Tim Robinson allowed the goal to stand at the time, but the Norway international was subsequently charged retrospectively under a rule introduced in the 2017-18 season that punishes players for misleading officials.
Heggebo has become the first footballer to be charged under this specific regulation since it was brought in, drawing significant attention to a rule that has rarely, if ever, been enforced in professional football until now.
Morrison was quick to defend his player, arguing that the handball was entirely unintentional and that Heggebo could not reasonably have been expected to alert the referee to the infringement in the heat of the moment.
"We wanted to back Bo because he's not that type of person," Morrison told BBC Radio WM. "He was upset because he was saying it [the charge] was calling him a cheat, basically, and we all know he's not that."
The West Brom boss described the sequence of events leading to the goal, suggesting the ball's trajectory made it almost impossible for the striker to avoid contact. "He'll be looking at the cross when it came in, it flicked from the goalkeeper's hands into him," Morrison explained. "He's not going to run to the referee is he, and say, 'I handballed that'? Not in a million years."
Morrison's comments reflect a broader frustration among managers and pundits about the practicality of enforcing such a rule, given the split-second nature of decisions players must make during matches. His suggestion that the FA has "opened a can of worms" implies concern that this precedent could lead to further retrospective charges for similar incidents, potentially complicating how handball situations are policed going forward.
The punishment means Heggebo will now be sidelined for two Championship fixtures, a blow for West Brom as they look to build on their opening-day win. The forward's absence will test the club's squad depth early in the season, though Morrison's public backing suggests the dressing room remains united behind the player despite the controversy.
The case has reignited debate about the balance between punishing deliberate deception and recognising the instinctive, often involuntary nature of handball incidents that occur during fast-moving passages of play. Whether the FA's decision to charge Heggebo will lead to more consistent enforcement of the rule, or whether it will remain an isolated case, is likely to be closely watched by clubs and governing bodies alike in the coming weeks.
For now, West Brom must navigate the immediate impact of losing their striker for two matches, while Morrison continues to voice his belief that the charge unfairly brands a player he insists is not the type to intentionally deceive match officials.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.