Call for Enhanced Safety Measures in Football Following Tragic Death of Billy Vigar

Call for Enhanced Safety Measures in Football Following Tragic Death of Billy Vigar

Call for Enhanced Safety Measures in Football Following Tragic Death of Billy Vigar

The death of former Arsenal youth player Billy Vigar was described as "entirely preventable" by Alex Fletcher, a former striker for Bath City.

Vigar, 21, tragically passed away on Thursday after suffering a "significant brain injury" during a match for Chichester City the previous Saturday.

It is believed that the injury occurred when he collided with a concrete wall, although the club has yet to confirm the details.

Fletcher, who retired from football at 25 following a similar incident involving concrete advertising hoardings during a National League South game, was placed in a coma after emergency surgery and remained sidelined for 10 months. He now works in the brain health department of the Professional Footballers' Association, advocating for improved player safety at football venues.

"This was an entirely preventable situation," Fletcher told BBC Breakfast. "It brought back a flood of emotions for me, but my primary feeling is one of frustration that the calls for change have not been heeded by the FA. I fear this will not be the last death if action is not taken."

In response to Vigar's death, the Football Association announced an immediate safety review of perimeter walls at football grounds within the National League system. "This will include examining ways to assist clubs in identifying and implementing additional measures at their stadiums to mitigate potential safety risks," the statement read.

However, Fletcher insists that immediate action is necessary. "I think it's too little, too late," he stated. "If you asked Billy's family, they would wonder if this will bring their son back. This is something that needs urgent attention because there are hundreds of football matches taking place across the country at all levels where similar incidents could occur again. It's labeled as a freak accident, but frankly, it's an accident waiting to happen."

The FA has been contacted for further comment.

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