FA Introduces New Pitch Safety Rules After Vigar’s Death

English football authorities have introduced new safety rules banning solid brick, breeze block and concrete perimeter barriers around pitches following the death of former Arsenal academy player Billy Vigar.

The Football Association (FA) announced the changes on Friday after a safety review linked to the death of the 21-year-old Chichester City forward, who suffered a fatal brain injury during a match against Wingate and Finchley in north London in September 2025.

Vigar is believed to have sustained the injury after colliding with a concrete barrier during the game.

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Under the new guidance, clubs in the National League System for men (steps 1-6) and the Women’s National League (tiers 3-4) will no longer be allowed to have solid brick, breeze block or concrete barriers around playing areas.

Late Former Arsenal Striker, Billy Vigar. Credit: BBC.

The FA said existing barriers must be removed “as soon as reasonably practicable” or covered with suitable protection if removal is not possible due to structural reasons.

“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,” the FA said.

The football governing body added that affected clubs had been informed and would be required to comply with the new safety measures.

The changes are part of efforts to improve player safety across lower-league football and prevent similar incidents in the future.

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