Today's Football 2026-27

[777Kidnappings]

West Bromwich Albion head coach James Morrison says the Football Association have "opened a can of worms" over Aune Heggebo's two-match ban for deception.

Jimmy-Jay Morgan's cross hit Heggebo's hand on its way into the net to give Albion the lead in their 2-1 win over Norwich City on the first day of the Championship season.

The Norway international forward last week became the first player to be charged with "deception of a match official" since the rule was introduced in the 2017-18 season.

Morrison said the incident was accidental and that the onus had not been on the player to tell referee Tim Robinson.

"We wanted to back Bo because he's not that type of person," he 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.

"He'll be looking at the cross when it came in, it flicked from the goalkeeper's hands into him.

"He's not going to run to the referee is he, and say, 'I handballed that'? Not in a million years.

The "disappointed" Albion boss said the ban had opened "a can of worms for the FA" to punish what they deem as deception.

Heggebo, 25, missed Sunday's 3-1 win over Burnley in the Championship and will also miss the Carabao Cup tie away to Newcastle United on Wednesday (19:45 BST).

"If they're going to do it, we accept it, but they've got to be consistent throughout the season," Morrison added.

"Be consistent throughout the season and we can all deal with that."

Source - BBC

Honestly wtf is this all about? I haven't seen the incident but I think the manager has made a good point that surely it's not on the player to confess to it hitting his hand?

Yeah its ridiculous. Are we really asking players to ref the games themselves now.

[777Kidnappings]

There must be 100 incidents of cheating every single game. Both sides claim every throw in. I dont think ive ever seen a player give a handball against himself. Is this all allowed if its not a goal.

[Goaljira]

And with the differing interpretations game to game how are you actually supposed to admit you've done something wrong if you don't actually know if you did?

[Audrey Horne]

Absolutely mad that.

He isn't going to tell the ref he did it on purpose is he, Christ. What's he meant to fucking do??

[CannockPricey]

Absolutely mad that.

He isn't going to tell the ref he did it on purpose is he, Christ. What's he meant to fucking do??

That's exactly what I am trying to understand. Are they actually saying that the onus is on a player to run over to correct a decision for a ref and penalise himself now?

Also, this rule has been place since the 17/18 season. This lad can't be the first. I remember the Millwall centre half scooping one in against us in the cup.

This is something that is going to be conveniently forgotten as the season goes on and they realise how impractical it is.

[blueToffee]

It’s also a bit funny that they’re ok with effectively using VAR after the fact, just not during a game. Pick a lane I think.

The rules are muddied for this sort of thing by the handball rules too which remain a mess and a bit subjective, as over the years we’ve seen changes where it can be ok if it’s deflected off other body parts or opposition players. Maybe it’s clear enough in this case, but there are bound to be others that are more nuanced.

[AjaxAndy]

Also are they going to apply this one a scale?

For example is pretending not to have handled the ball whilst scoring more serious than if you did it on the halfway line?

Is it the same punishment if you knowingly claim a corner or free kick that's not yours?

If you foul a player in the box but put your hands up in protest and claim you didn't touch him also deemed the same?

Just an absolute can of worms this decision.