Football Association bans solid pitch perimeter walls after Billy Vigar death
The Football Association has banned solid perimeter walls around pitches across the National League and Women’s National League following the tragic death of former Arsenal youth player Billy Vigar.
The 21-year-old sustained a significant brain injury while playing for Chichester City against Wingate and Finchley in September 2025.
It is widely believed the fatal injury was caused when the young footballer collided directly with a concrete barrier.
New safety regulations introduced
An independent health and safety review conducted for the 2026-27 campaign mandated the immediate removal of these hazards.
The updated regulations strictly prohibit the use of solid brick, breeze block, or concrete barriers at steps one to six of the men’s game and tiers three and four of the women’s system.
“Any existing solid brick, breeze block or concrete barriers must be removed as soon as reasonably practicable, or covered with suitable protection if they cannot be removed for structural reasons,” an FA statement detailed.
“We have informed the clubs at this level that will be required to take action as a result of these changes.”
Funding and transitional arrangements
Matches at grounds with existing barriers are permitted to continue provided clubs regularly assess safety risks and establish a reasonable timeframe for modifications.
To assist with the financial burden of these essential stadium upgrades, the English governing body and the Premier League have committed to providing dedicated funding.
The decision follows a widespread public campaign, with a petition demanding the prohibition of brick structures around football pitches gathering more than 4,000 signatures.
Historical context and previous incidents
Pressure had been mounting on football authorities to adopt a proactive approach to player welfare long before this recent tragedy.
In June 2023, the government and the Professional Footballers’ Association formally wrote to multiple league organisations demanding urgent safety improvements.
This earlier intervention was prompted by a severe incident involving Alex Fletcher in November 2022.
The Bath City player suffered a fractured skull and required intensive care after colliding with a concrete advertising hoarding during a match.