FA Initiates Safety Review Following Tragic Death of Young Footballer
The Football Association (FA) has announced an immediate safety review of perimeter walls at football grounds within the National League system, following the tragic death of former Arsenal youth player Billy Vigar.
Vigar, a 21-year-old striker, passed away on Thursday after suffering a "significant brain injury" while playing for Chichester City against Wingate and Finchley FC last Saturday.
It is believed that the injury occurred due to a collision with a concrete wall, although the club has not confirmed this detail.
A petition advocating for a ban on brick walls surrounding football pitches has garnered over 4,000 signatures.
In a statement, the FA stated, "We will now conduct an immediate review, collaborating with leagues, clubs, and relevant stakeholders across the game, focusing on the safety of perimeter walls and boundaries around pitches in the National League system. This will include exploring ways to assist National League clubs in identifying and implementing additional safety measures at their stadiums."
On the same day, the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) called for a thorough investigation, emphasizing that players should not be subjected to unnecessary and avoidable risks.
PFA Chief Executive Maheta Molango expressed the importance of ensuring that "opportunities to make grounds safer for players have not been missed," adding, "Our thoughts are with Billy's family and friends, and we are committed to providing them with support. All footballers should expect to be safe when they play or train."
In June 2023, both the government and the PFA urged the FA, Premier League, English Football League, and National League to adopt a more proactive approach to player safety, particularly after Bath City's Alex Fletcher suffered a fractured skull from a similar incident involving a concrete advertising hoarding in November 2022.
Luke Griggs, Chief Executive of brain injury charity Headway, remarked, "This tragedy is even harder to bear, knowing that the warnings were there. Action must be taken; we cannot allow this to happen again."
Griggs urged football's major stakeholders to help fund necessary alterations to grounds lower in the football pyramid. He suggested, "Collaboration between the FA, PFA, local authorities, and sponsors is essential to enable these clubs to implement the required changes. In the interim, we must consider creative solutions, such as padding all concrete walls. With the financial resources available in football, this issue cannot be overlooked; we need individuals to step forward and take responsibility."
Vigar, a graduate of the Arsenal academy, left the club in 2024 and had also played for Derby County, Eastbourne Borough, and Hastings United.
During a news conference on Friday, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his condolences, stating, "It is shocking news. You immediately think of the family and how difficult it is to endure such a loss unexpectedly. We must understand how and why this happened to prevent future occurrences. Our thoughts are with the family and all his loved ones."