FA Bans Solid Perimeter Walls Around Football Pitches Following Safety Review
The Football Association has implemented a ban on solid perimeter walls surrounding football pitches after a safety review was prompted by the death of Billy Vigar, a former youth player for Arsenal.
Vigar, who was 21 years old, died from a significant brain injury sustained during a match for Chichester City at Wingate and Finchley FC in September 2025, believed to be caused by a collision with a concrete wall.
The review, carried out by independent health and safety experts for the 2026-27 season, prohibits solid brick, breeze block, or concrete barriers around pitches in the National League system for men and the Women's National League. The FA has instructed clubs to remove or protect existing barriers and will provide funding to assist with these changes. This decision follows a petition that garnered over 4,000 signatures advocating for the ban and comes after previous incidents highlighting safety concerns.
