The English Football Association has banned the use of hard brick and concrete barriers along the sidelines across the National League system.
The new rule will take effect from the 2026/27 season. It follows a safety review launched after the death of 21-year-old footballer Billy Vigar in September 2025.
Vigar, a former Arsenal academy player, suffered a serious brain injury after crashing into a concrete wall at Wingate & Finchley Stadium while playing for Chichester City.
The forward was trying to keep the ball in play when the incident happened.
His death caused widespread concern and led to calls for greater safety around football pitches. A petition known as “Vigar’s Law” received thousands of signatures and called for the removal of hard structures near playing areas.
Under the new rules, all existing concrete barriers must be removed as soon as possible or covered with special shock-absorbing padding.
The move is aimed at making football grounds safer for players and reducing the risk of serious injuries.
