The Football Association (FA) have recently announced an immediate review into the safety of perimeter walls and boundaries at grounds in the National League system. They prompted the announcement following the tragic death of Chichester City forward Billy Vigar on Thursday.
The 21-year-old former Arsenal academy forward sustained a severe brain injury last Saturday during a match against Wingate & Finchley. He underwent surgery after being placed in an induced coma. However, Vigar unfortunately then passed away on Thursday. It sparked grief across the football community and urgent calls for reform.
In its statement, the FA confirmed it would work with leagues, clubs, and stakeholders to evaluate stadium safety standards. The statement read, “We will now conduct an immediate review, working with leagues, clubs and relevant stakeholders across the game, that will focus on the safety of perimeter walls and boundaries around pitches in the National League system.”
The governing body also pledged to help clubs identify and implement additional measures to reduce risks. Vigar’s tragic death intensified scrutiny on lower-league facilities. The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) also came out strongly supported the move. Their Chief Executive, Maheta Molango stressed:
“All footballers should expect to be safe when they go out to play or train, and to not be put at unnecessary and avoidable risk by factors beyond their control.” He added that opportunities to improve the safety of the players must not be missed like this again.
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Following Vigar’s unfortunate death, petition calling for the removal of brick walls and similar structures near pitches has already gained thousands of signatures. It has been dubbed as “Vigar’s Law”. Campaigners are arguing that such hazards have long endangered players and must be urgently addressed.
This tragedy comes after repeated warnings. In November 2022, Bath City’s Alex Fletcher suffered a fractured skull when he collided with a concrete advertising hoarding. The incident led the PFA and government to urge football authorities to adopt a more proactive approach.
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However, critics have argued that progress has been too slow. Brain injury charity Headway said spoke on the matter saying, “This tragedy is even harder to bear, knowing that the warnings were there. Action has to be taken and we can’t sit back and allow this to happen again.”
Vigar joined Arsenal’s academy at 14 and later represented Derby County’s under-21s and Eastbourne Borough before signing with Chichester this season. Tributes have poured in from across the game. Arsenal called him “quick, powerful and fiercely determined.” Manager Mikel Arteta described the news as “shocking” and offered his full support to Vigar’s family.
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