Despite the lack of detailed coverage around Vigar’s death on the 25 September, it is believed his death was caused from a significant brain injury while playing in an away match at Wingate and Finchley FC. It is believed Vigar collided with a pitch perimeter wall during the match, in turn suggesting that the FA failed to effectively regulate the safety of the pitch for players.
... suggesting that the FA failed to effectively regulate the safety of the pitch for players.
Regrettably, this is not the only incident that the FA are wholly answerable for. A similar incident occurred involving Bath City striker Alex Fletcher, who also suffered a serious head injury after crashing into concrete advertising hoardings in a game between Bath City and Dulwich Hamlet a few years earlier. The injuries sustained by Fletcher forced his early retirement at just 25 years old.
Not only is it important for the future of the game for the FA to admit their negligence in the injuries caused, with respect an apology statement should be made for the pain caused to all those involved. With the FA failing to properly speak up on the matter, it is a growing worry of many that more deaths and life-changing injuries will occur to players. It should never have taken a death of a player for safety changes to be made to pitches, but hopefully with more people coming together to appeal for changes, funding can be put in place to avoid such tragedies occurring in the future. Thankfully, hope is beginning to emerge as a petition calling for a ban on brick walls around football pitches has received more than 4,000 signatures.
It should never have taken a death of a player for safety changes to be made to pitches
Ultimately, this would never be allowed to happen in higher leagues, so why is the FA ignoring the severity of their actions?