FA to review stadium safety after Vigar’s death
The Football Association (FA) announced on Friday an immediate safety review of perimeter walls and boundaries at football grounds within the National League system in response to the tragic death of former Arsenal youth player Billy Vigar. The 21-year-old striker died after sustaining a significant brain injury following a collision with a concrete wall during a match for Chichester City against Wingate and Finchley last Saturday. This review aims to assess and improve safety measures to prevent similar tragedies.
Vigar suffered the fatal injury while attempting to keep the ball in play near a concrete perimeter wall at the Maurice Rebak Stadium, leading to urgent surgery and an induced coma before he passed away on Thursday morning. His death has reignited calls for enhanced stadium safety, especially regarding harsh immovable structures surrounding pitches at lower-league venues. The FA declared it will collaborate closely with clubs, leagues, and relevant stakeholders to identify risks and implement additional protective measures for players in the National League system.
The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) strongly supports the review, emphasizing that players must not face unnecessary or avoidable risks. PFA chief executive Maheta Molango stressed the importance of a formal investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident, adding that football authorities must ensure no opportunities to improve player safety are disregarded. Molango also highlighted previous warnings after a 2022 incident where Bath City striker Alex Fletcher suffered a career-ending fractured skull following a collision with a concrete-backed advertising board. The PFA calls for refined and proactive guidance for clubs on ground safety standards.
Billy Vigar was regarded as a promising forward who progressed through Arsenal’s academy system, earning a full-time scholarship for the 2020-21 season and appearing in the EFL Trophy. He later played for Hastings and most recently joined Chichester City. His death has sparked an outpouring of grief from the football community and led to a petition demanding the removal of dangerous brick or concrete walls around pitches, a measure seen as crucial to player safety.
This review marks a significant moment for the FA and the broader football community to re-evaluate ground safety policies below the professional tiers. It underscores an urgent need to protect players physically and enhance stadium environments to prevent avoidable tragedies, aligning with a growing recognition that player safety must be paramount across all levels of the game. For Vigar, this review could cement his legacy by driving crucial changes that safeguard future generations of footballers.