FA bans solid pitchside barriers after player dies
The Football Association (FA) has announced a ban on solid pitchside barriers across the National League System in response to the death of former Arsenal academy player Billy Vigar. The 21-year-old suffered a severe brain injury when he collided with a concrete barrier during a match for Chichester City, a seventh-tier team in the Isthmian League Premier Division.
Following the tragedy, the FA initiated a safety review of walls and boundaries last year. The review, conducted by independent health and safety experts, will cover the 2026-27 season. The governing body is requiring clubs at the relevant level to remove or protect existing solid brick, breeze block, or concrete barriers as soon as reasonably possible.
The FA and Premier League will provide funding to assist with the implementation of these safety changes.
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