The Football Association (FA) will immediately review perimeter walls at National League grounds following the death of former Arsenal youth striker Billy Vigar, 21.
Vigar died on Thursday after suffering a “significant brain injury” during a match for Chichester City at Wingate and Finchley FC last Saturday. Reports suggest he may have collided with a concrete wall. A petition calling for a ban on brick walls at football pitches has gathered over 4,000 signatures.
The FA said it will work with leagues and clubs to explore additional safety measures at stadiums. The Professional Footballers’ Association also called for a full investigation, emphasizing that players should not face unnecessary risks.
Brain injury charity Headway and PFA officials have urged urgent action, including padding concrete walls, highlighting past incidents such as Bath City’s Alex Fletcher, who fractured his skull in 2022.
Vigar, an Arsenal academy graduate, also played for Derby County, Eastbourne Borough, and Hastings United. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his condolences, calling the news “shocking” and urging steps to prevent similar tragedies.
Source: BBC
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