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The PFA has demanded an inquiry into the incident that resulted in the death of ex-Arsenal forward Billy Vigar. The 21 year old striker tragically passed away on Thursday after sustaining an injury during a match between Chichester City and Wingate and Finchley in the Isthmian League Premier Division.
Vigar, who was reported to have collided with a concrete wall while trying to keep the ball in play at Maurice Rebak Stadium, suffered a 'significant' brain injury. The former Arsenal youth player was rushed to hospital, placed into an induced coma, and underwent surgery on Tuesday, but sadly died on Thursday.
This tragic incident has sparked calls for safer pitch surroundings, with Dorking Wanderers owner Mark White describing many football pyramid pitches as hazardous. The PFA also believes that an investigation is crucial once Vigar's family has received adequate support.
Maheta Molango, the PFA's chief executive, stated it was essential to ensure "opportunities to make grounds safer for players have not been missed".
"Clearly there needs to be a formal investigation into the incident that has led to Billy Vigar's tragic death, and it is right that this is allowed to take place so that the full circumstances can be properly established," said Molango. "All of our thoughts right now are with Billy's family and friends, and providing whatever support we can to them."
"When the time is right, we will offer any assistance we can as part of any investigation process, specifically information that may be helpful regarding the safety of players in grounds. That includes sharing concerns we have raised previously around incidents where PFA members have been seriously injured in collisions with perimeter walls and fences, such as that involving Alex Fletcher at Bath City.
"All footballers should expect to be safe when they go out to play or train, and to not be put at unnecessary and avoidable risk by factors beyond their control.
"When we previously highlighted potential safety issues in grounds and stadiums, the Sports Minister and I wrote to all the football authorities to urge them to be proactive on this and to make sure all their rules and regulations around player safety were fit for purpose.
"Again, whilst it is important that a proper investigation is allowed to conclude, we have to ensure that opportunities to make grounds safer for players have not been missed and that players don't feel that serious incidents involving their safety are necessary to prompt change."
The Government and the PFA contacted the chief executives of the Football Association, the Premier League, the EFL and the National League in June 2023, following Bath City's Alex Fletcher sustaining a fractured skull after striking an advertising hoarding reinforced with concrete blocks. They urged them to take a proactive stance on player safety.
Ben Wright, the PFA's director of external affairs, previously stated: "Although safety is ultimately the responsibility of the stadium owner, the PFA's view is that the direction given to clubs in this area is not as strong as it could be.
"Collectively, football should do everything it can to make sure incidents like Alex Fletcher's don't happen."
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