In Matchday 1 of the Championship, West Bromwich Albion defeated Norwich City 2-1. In the 75th minute, Heggebø scored with a handball, and The FA announced sanctions on August 20, handing the player a two-match ban. This also marks the very first charge of its kind since the relevant rule amendments were introduced in 2024.
Note:
VAR is currently not utilized in the Championship, League One, or League Two; VAR is only deployed in the EFL Cup semi-finals and final.
According to the EFL Play-Off regulations, VAR may be used in the Play-Off Finals, subject to Board approval.
The FA Sanction Statement:
West Bromwich Albion's Heggebø has been suspended for two matches for successfully deceiving a match official during the EFL Championship fixture against Norwich City on August 15.
It is alleged that the player committed an act of improper conduct in or around the 75th minute of the fixture, having deceived the referee by scoring a goal directly and successfully via a handball.
This act was in breach of FA Rule E3.1. Heggebø denied the charge against him, but an independent Regulatory Commission found the charge to be proven following a hearing and imposed the aforementioned sanction.
The written reasons of the Regulatory Commission will be published in due course.
