The Football Association has announced a ban on solid walls around the edges of pitches at non-league grounds, a move prompted by the tragic death of former Arsenal youngster Billy Vigar.
Vigar, 21, died in September after suffering a significant brain injury during a match between Chichester City and Wingate & Finchley FC, when he collided with a wall while trying to keep the ball in play.
New regulations
The FA confirmed 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]".
In an official statement, the FA added: "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."
Review and support
The wall at Wingate and Finchley FC has since been removed. The FA had launched a comprehensive review of pitch surroundings at non-league grounds, and its conclusions have now been made public.
Matches may continue at affected grounds during the transition, but clubs must assess safety on an ongoing basis and develop plans for any recommended alterations.
Non-league clubs will receive financial assistance from the Premier League and the FA. According to the Press Association, 160 of the 900 clubs at these levels have been contacted about making modifications.
PFA response
Following the announcement, a PFA spokesperson said: "Following the tragic death of Billy Vigar last year, we again highlighted these concerns and made clear our view that the lack of progress and leadership on this issue had been unacceptable."
"As part of working groups set up by the FA following Billy's death, we pushed for the FA's Stadium Accreditation criteria to be amended to ban these types of walls so that there is a clear and centralised policy for clubs to follow."
"Given that, it's a welcome step that the FA's regulations have now been changed to reflect that position."
"However, it will now be important for progress on the removal of such walls - and effective mitigation of risks ahead of their removal - to be properly monitored, and for clubs to be given the support they need so that these changes can happen as soon as possible. Player safety must always come first."
