Perimeter Walls Banned After Vigar Death, FA Confirms New Rules
The Football Association has banned solid perimeter walls around football pitches across England’s non-league system, following a safety review launched after the death of former Arsenal youth player Billy Vigar last year.
Vigar, a 21-year-old striker playing for Chichester City, died in September 2025 after suffering a significant brain injury when he collided with a concrete barrier while attempting to keep the ball in play during a match against Wingate and Finchley. He was placed in an induced coma and underwent surgery in an effort to aid his recovery, but died days later. Investigations into the exact circumstances of the incident have continued, with a senior coroner asking the Metropolitan Police to examine the nature of contact between the players involved.
Following an independent safety review conducted by health and safety specialists ahead of the 2026-27 season, the FA has published new pitch perimeter criteria that no longer permit solid brick, breeze block, or concrete barriers around pitches for clubs competing across the men’s National League System, covering Steps 1 to 6, and the Women’s National League, covering Tiers 3 and 4. In a statement, the FA said any existing solid barriers must be removed as soon as reasonably practicable, or covered with suitable protective padding where removal is not structurally feasible.
Of the approximately 900 clubs playing at the affected levels, around 160 are understood to have been contacted regarding at least one element of their ground requiring modification. Matches at impacted venues will be allowed to continue in the meantime, provided clubs regularly assess the safety of their pitch perimeter barriers and commit to making necessary changes within a reasonable timeframe. The FA and the Premier League have pledged funding to support clubs in carrying out the required work.
The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) had campaigned for such a review well before Vigar’s death, having written to the FA, the Premier League, the English Football League, and the National League back in June 2023 alongside then Sports Minister Stuart Andrew, calling for a proactive assessment of pitch perimeter safety. That earlier push followed a separate incident in November 2022, in which Bath City’s Alex Fletcher suffered a fractured skull after colliding with a concrete advertising hoarding during a match. A PFA spokesperson said the lack of progress and leadership on the issue prior to Vigar’s death had been unacceptable, adding that the organisation pushed for the FA’s Stadium Accreditation criteria to be formally amended as part of working groups established in the aftermath of his passing.
A petition calling for the removal of brick walls around football pitches, launched shortly after Vigar’s death, has since attracted more than 4,000 signatures. The football community has continued to pay tribute to Vigar since his passing, with floral arrangements and cards left at Chichester City’s ground, while the league confirmed the fixture in which the injury occurred will not be replayed.
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