The Football Association will review the safety of walls and barriers around pitches in the National League system after former Arsenal academy player Billy Vigar died after suffering a serious brain injury. He suffered fatal injuries while playing for English seventh-tier side Chichester City.
According to local media reports, the 21-year-old hit his head on a concrete barrier near the pitch. He was injured last Saturday in an Isthmain regional league match. The footballer died in hospital on Thursday.
"We will now carry out an immediate review. We will work with leagues, clubs and relevant stakeholders across the sport. The review will focus on the security of perimeter walls and barriers around pitches in the National League system," the Football Association said in a statement released on Friday.
"This will include looking at how we can help clubs in the National League system identify and implement additional measures at their stadiums. Clubs will determine how we will help reduce any risk to the health of players."
The late footballer will be honored in the FA Cup and National League matches this weekend, the English Football Association statement further states.
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The National League system is below the Football League. It is the seventh and eighth levels in the English football pyramid.
A petition calling for a ban on brick walls around football pitches has already received more than 4.000 signatures, writes the BBC.
Earlier on Friday, the Professional Footballers' Association called for a full investigation and said players "should not be put at unnecessary and avoidable risk."
The association's executive director, Maheta Molango, said that all players must be safe when they go out to play or train.
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Vigar was developed in the Arsenal Academy, leaving the club in 2024. He had spells at Derby County, Eastbourne Borough and Hastings United.
"It's shocking news. Your immediate thoughts go to the family and how difficult it is to go through something like this, which comes so unexpectedly. We hope that it is understood how it happened and why it happened. Without a doubt, they should try to avoid these cases. It is truly sad news and our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the deceased footballer," said Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta.
