The forward died after suffering a brain injury

Walls around football pitches have been banned following the death of Chichester City player Billy Vigar who suffered a fatal collision during a match last year.

The forward, 21, passed away in hospital on September 25 after sustaining the injury in a match at Wingate and Finchley FC on September 20.

Billy Vigar, who died last September after suffering serious head injuries in a collision with a wall during a match

placeholder image — Billy Vigar, who died last September after suffering serious head injuries in a collision with a wall during a match

Vigar, a graduate of Arsenal’s academy, collided with a concrete wall after trying to keep the ball in play and slipping a little over 10 minutes after the game had started. He was taken to a London hospital where he was placed in an induced coma after suffering a “significant brain injury”.

His death sparked a safety review, conducted by independent health and safety experts for the 2026-27 season. It said it "no longer permits solid brick, breeze block or concrete barriers around pitches across the National League system for men [steps 1-6], and the Women's National League [tiers 3-4]".

An FA statement said: "Any existing solid brick, breeze block or concrete barriers must be removed as soon as reasonably practicable, or covered with suitable protection if they cannot be removed for structural reasons.

"We have informed the clubs at this level that will be required to take action as a result of these changes."

Matches at affected grounds can continue as long as clubs assess "the safety of their pitch perimeter barriers on an ongoing basis" and plan to make changes "within a reasonable timeframe".

The FA and Premier League will provide funding to facilitate the changes. A petition calling for a ban on brick walls around football pitches received more than 4,000 signatures after Vigar’s death.