English football authorities have introduced new safety regulations prohibiting solid brick and concrete barriers around pitches at certain levels of the game following the death of former Arsenal academy player Billy Vigar.
Vigar, a 21-year-old forward for Chichester City, suffered a fatal brain injury after colliding with a concrete perimeter wall during a match against Wingate and Finchley in north London in September 2025.
Following an extensive safety review, the Football Association announced fresh guidance for clubs, stating that “no longer permits solid brick, breeze block or concrete barriers around pitches”.
The new directive applies to clubs competing in the men’s National League System from Steps 1 to 6, as well as teams in Tiers 3 and 4 of the Women’s National League.
In a statement released on Friday, the FA said, “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.
“We have informed the clubs at this level that will be required to take action as a result of these changes.”
The governing body said affected clubs have been notified and are expected to comply with the updated safety measures aimed at reducing the risk of serious injuries around football pitches.
