The Football Association has outlawed solid perimeter walls surrounding pitches, following a safety review prompted by the death of former Arsenal youth player Billy Vigar, according to BBC News.
The move comes after Vigar suffered fatal injuries in a match involving Chichester City, where he collided with a solid wall bordering the playing surface. His death sent shockwaves through non-league football and raised urgent questions about ground safety standards at lower-level venues, where such barriers have long been common.
The FA's review has now concluded that these fixed structures pose an unacceptable risk to players and must be removed or replaced with safer alternatives across affected grounds.
While BBC News' report doesn't detail the full scope of implementation or timelines for clubs to comply, the ban marks a significant shift in how English football approaches pitchside safety, with governing bodies clearly prioritising player welfare in the wake of tragedy.