Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has paid tribute to Billy Vigar after the Gunners academy product's tragic death at the age of 21. The former youth star was playing for Chichester City when he is reported to have collided with a concrete wall, sustaining a fatal brain injury in the process.
GettyVigar's tragic passing
Chichester announced on Thursday that Vigar had tragically passed away after sustaining a "significant" brain injury during a game last weekend. The ex-Arsenal academy product is reported to have made contact with a concrete wall while attempting to keep the ball in play. After the collision, the fixture was abandoned, as Vigar was taken to hospital and placed into an induced coma. He underwent surgery on Tuesday but, tragically, he died on Thursday. The news has sent shockwaves throughout English football, with Vigar a young, promising ace who was merely playing the game.
AdvertisementArteta's tribute
Arteta was asked about Vigar in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Gunners' game against Newcastle on Sunday. He played for Arsenal's Under-18s and Under-21s but did not manage to make a senior appearance.
Arteta told reporters: "Well, it's shocking news, when I got it yesterday, obviously.
"So straight away thinking about the family and how difficult it is to go through something like this in a very unexpected way as well. And hopefully they will dig in and understand what happened, why it happened and try to avoid these kind of things. But really sad news, and our full support with the family and our thoughts with all the loved ones."
Arsenal's 'shock' at tragedy
Arsenal issued a statement of their own on Thursday evening after Vigar's passing, expressing their astonishment at losing a former academy graduate.
They said: "Everyone at Arsenal is devastated by the shocking news that former academy graduate Billy Vigar has passed away.
"All our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this time. Rest in peace, Billy."
Call for inquiry
Since Vigar's passing, Dorking Wanderers owner Marc White tweeted that the FA should look into "pitch surrounds", with concrete walls a common sight at non-league football grounds.
Using the club's account, the Dorking owner wrote: "All clubs need @FA to instruct an immediate enquiry (sic) into pitch surrounds.
"Many are dangerous and players always have to be cautious given the proximity from the pitch. But some simply do not move and are lethal. These need removing immediately."
The PFA have also demanded an investigation, with chief executive Maheta Molango saying in a statement: “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. 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.”