The Football Association has banned solid perimeter walls around pitches across the men’s National League System and Women’s National League following a safety review launched after the tragic death of former Arsenal youth player Billy Vigar in September 2025.
English football’s governing body has drawn a hard line under pitchside infrastructure hazards. Under new criteria formulated for the 2026-27 season, the governing body no longer permits solid brick, breeze block or concrete barriers around pitches across steps one through six of the men’s National League System and tiers three and four of the Women’s National League.
The regulatory overhaul arrives in response to a fatal accident involving 21-year-old Billy Vigar. The striker died after sustaining a significant brain injury
when he collided with a concrete barrier trying to keep a ball in play during a fixture at Wingate and Finchley FC while playing for seventh-tier side Chichester City.
Mandatory Removals and Mitigation Deadlines
Clubs operating within the affected divisions now face compliance timelines. The Football Association directive dictates that any existing solid brick, breeze block, or concrete barriers must be removed as soon as reasonably practicable, or covered with suitable protection if structural reasons prevent complete removal.
Fixtures at grounds featuring the prohibited structures are allowed to proceed under provisional terms. Teams can continue playing 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.
Administrative tallies indicate the scale of the logistical challenge ahead. Of the approximately 900 clubs competing at the relevant levels of the football pyramid, around 160 have been contacted regarding at least one element of their stadium infrastructure requiring alteration.
Funding Infrastructure Overhauls Across the Pyramid
Recognizing this burden, the governing body confirmed that the FA and Premier League will provide funding to help clubs implement the necessary physical changes.
Independent health and safety experts conducted the comprehensive review that shaped the updated stadium accreditation rules. Financial backing from top-flight professional football aims to ensure that compliance is possible.
Precedents That Fueled Safety Demands
Vigar’s death was preceded by other severe incidents that galvanized player unions and safety advocates. In November 2022, Bath City player Alex Fletcher suffered a fractured skull after colliding with a concrete advertising hoarding during a match.
That incident prompted coordinated pressure from player advocates. In June 2023, the Professional Footballers’ Association alongside then-Sports Minister Stuart Andrew wrote to the FA, Premier League, English Football League and National League, urging a proactive stance on stadium perimeter risks.
Player Union Response and Ongoing Monitoring
A petition initiated after Vigar’s passing received more than 4,000 signatures demanding the removal of dangerous brick structures.
“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.”
A PFA spokesperson, via LBC
Union representatives participated directly in working groups established in the wake of the tragedy, pushing for mandatory changes to stadium accreditation criteria. While welcoming the updated regulations, the organization emphasized that robust oversight remains essential.
“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.”
A PFA spokesperson, via LBC
What Lies Ahead for Non-League Grounds
With the 2026-27 season framework now established, attention turns to how quickly hundreds of grassroots and semi-professional venues can restructure their touchlines. While financial assistance has been promised by the professional tiers, tracking compliance across roughly 160 flagged stadiums will test the administrative reach of football regulators.
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