Several serious injuries and fatalities have occurred in recent years as a result of unsafe or incorrect use of goalposts. Safety is always of paramount importance and everyone in football must play their part to prevent similar incidents occurring in the future.

• For safety reasons goalposts of any size (including those which are portable and not installed permanently at a pitch or practice field) must always be anchored securely to the ground or have a weighted back bar.
• Portable goalposts must be secured as per the manufacturer’s instructions; this is also a requirement for the Laws of the Game.
• Under no circumstances should children or adults be allowed to climb on, swing or play with the structure of the goalposts.
• Particular attention is drawn to the fact that if not properly assembled and secured, portable goalposts may overturnRegular inspections of goalposts must be carried out to check that they are properly maintained.
• Portable goalposts should not be left in place after use. They should be either dismantled or removed to a place of secure storage, or placed together and suitable fixings applied to prevent unauthorised use at any time.
• The use of metal cup hooks on any part of a goal frame was banned from the commencement of season 2007-08 and match officials have been instructed not to commence matches where such net fixings are evident for safety reasons. Nets may be secured by plastic fixings, arrow head shaped plastic hooks or tape but not by metal cup hooks. Any metal cup hooks should be removed and replaced. New goalposts purchased should meet the relevant British Standards.
• Goalposts which are “home-made” or which have been altered from their original size or construction should not be used under any circumstances as they potentially pose a serious safety risk.

Funding for the replacement of unsafe goals is available via the Football Foundation and eligibility criteria and further details can be obtained from their website.