Players should not be put at avoidable risk - PFA

"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. 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."

"expect to be safe when they go out to play or train"

"opportunities to make grounds safer for players have not been missed"

Billy Vigar, 21, died after sustaining a significant brain injury while playing for Chichester City at Wingate and Finchley FC; the injury is thought to have been caused by a collision with a concrete wall, though the club has not confirmed that. A petition calling for a ban on brick or concrete walls around football pitches has received more than 2,300 signatures. The Professional Footballers' Association called for a formal investigation and said players should expect to be safe when they play or train and not be put at avoidable risk. The government and the PFA previously urged football governing bodies to adopt a more proactive approach to player safety after a 2022 incident in which Bath City's Alex Fletcher suffered a fractured skull from colliding with concrete advertising hoardings.

Read at www.bbc.com