New safety rules in England

The authorities overseeing English football have issued new safety rules concerning brick or concrete walls surrounding pitches, following the death of former Arsenal academy player Billy Figar. The 21-year-old Chichester City striker died after suffering a brain injury in September 2025 during a match against Wingate & Finchley in the Isthmian League, a semi-professional regional competition covering Greater London and east and south-east England. The injury is believed to have resulted from his collision with a concrete barrier. The English Football League conducted a review of safety standards and published new guidelines for clubs in the lower divisions, stating that “the use of solid barriers made of brick, hollow concrete blocks, or concrete around pitches is no longer permitted.” The decision applies to clubs competing in the National League system for men (Levels 1 to 6) and the Women’s National League (Divisions 3 and 4). The English Football League stated yesterday: “Any existing barriers made of brick, hollow concrete blocks, or concrete must be removed as soon as reasonably practicable, or covered with appropriate protective measures if removal is not possible for structural reasons.” It added: “We have informed clubs at these levels that they must take action in light of these changes.”