The short version
- The Football Association has prohibited solid perimeter walls at National League venues following an independent safety review triggered by a player's death.
- Clubs are required to remove or protect existing concrete and brick barriers, with financial support provided by the FA and Premier League.
- This regulatory change addresses long-standing concerns about pitch-side hazards that had previously resulted in severe injuries to other professional athletes.
The Football Association has implemented a comprehensive ban on solid perimeter walls surrounding football pitches across the National League system. This decisive regulatory shift follows an independent safety review conducted by health and safety experts for the upcoming 2026-27 season. The mandate specifically prohibits the use of solid brick, breeze block, or concrete barriers at venues within men’s steps one through six and tiers three and four of the Women’s National League.
The policy change was directly precipitated by the death of Billy Vigar, a 21-year-old former Arsenal academy player. Vigar sustained a significant brain injury in September 2025 while playing for Chichester City against Wingate and Finchley FC. Reports indicate that the fatal trauma occurred when he collided with a concrete wall during the match. His passing prompted an urgent reassessment of ground safety standards, leading to the current prohibition.
Under the new guidelines, clubs operating at these levels must take immediate action regarding existing infrastructure. The FA has stated that any current solid barriers must be removed as soon as reasonably practicable. In instances where structural constraints prevent removal, clubs are required to cover the hazards with suitable protective materials. This requirement applies broadly across the specified tiers of English football.
To mitigate the financial burden of these upgrades, the Football Association and the Premier League have committed to providing funding to facilitate the necessary changes. Clubs have been formally informed of their obligations and must plan to implement modifications within a reasonable timeframe. The authorities emphasize that ongoing safety assessments of pitch perimeters are mandatory for all affected grounds.
Despite the strict prohibition on new installations, matches at venues with existing non-compliant barriers may continue temporarily. This allowance is contingent upon clubs demonstrating active engagement in safety evaluations and presenting credible plans for remediation. The transitional period aims to balance immediate player safety with the logistical realities of infrastructure modification.
The incident involving Vigar has galvanized public opinion regarding stadium safety. A petition demanding a ban on brick walls around football pitches has garnered more than 4,000 signatures since his death. This grassroots pressure underscores the growing demand for proactive measures to protect athletes from preventable environmental hazards within sports venues.
Concerns about pitch-side barriers are not new to English football administration. In June 2023, the government and the Professional Footballers’ Association jointly wrote to major football bodies, including the FA, Premier League, English Football League, and National League. They urged a more proactive approach to player safety in this area, highlighting systemic risks that had persisted for years.
Previous incidents had already raised alarms about the dangers of hard surfaces near playing areas. In November 2022, Alex Fletcher, a player for Bath City, suffered a fractured skull after colliding with a concrete advertising hoarding during a match. That injury served as an early warning sign, yet comprehensive regulatory action was delayed until the tragic outcome involving Vigar forced a final reckoning.
The new rules represent a significant evolution in how football authorities manage physical risks associated with stadium design. By shifting responsibility from individual club discretion to standardized national requirements, the FA aims to eliminate a known hazard that has caused severe injuries. The focus now turns to implementation and ensuring that all venues meet the updated safety criteria before the start of the next season.
As clubs begin the process of modifying their grounds, the effectiveness of these measures will depend on strict adherence to timelines and quality of protective installations. The funding support from top-tier organizations suggests a unified effort to prioritize athlete welfare over traditional infrastructure norms. This case may set a precedent for how other sports address similar environmental safety concerns in the future.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗Perimeter walls around pitches banned after Vigar death
