Why do football goal safety standards exist?

Unsecured or poorly constructed football goals are a genuine danger. Several serious injuries and fatalities have occurred in recent years as a result of unsafe or incorrect use of goalposts, which helped drive the development of formal European and British standards for goal construction and stability. Two standards currently apply in the UK, namely BS EN 16579 and BS EN 748. Understanding the difference between them is straightforward once you know what each one covers.

What replaced what?

As a bit of background, both BS EN 16579 and BS EN 748 replaced two older British standards: BS 8462 and BS 8461. These were the previous benchmarks for football goal safety. The old standards varied between countries across Europe; the new ones brought a consistent, Europe-wide framework, adopted in the UK as British Standards. Brexit has not affected the status of these standards in the UK.

BS EN 16579: Small-Sided and Junior Goals

 

What does BS EN 16579 cover?

BS EN 16579 covers every goal that falls outside the scope of BS EN 748, including 11v11 Youth goals (6.4m x 2.1m / 21ft x 7ft), Mini Soccer 7v7/5v5 goals (3.66m x 1.83m / 12ft x 6ft), "Traditional" 5-a-side goals, and 11v11 Senior or 5m x 2m goals that come in under 42kg in total weight.

In short, if a goal isn't a heavy full-size 11v11 Senior goal over 42kg, it almost certainly falls under BS EN 16579.

What did BS EN 16579 change?

The standard introduced several significant improvements over the old BS 8461 and BS 8462:

Entrapment - BS EN 16579 introduced new guidance around entrapment, aiming to eliminate the danger of finger, head, and neck entrapments. The width of the channel often found on the back of aluminium goals is no longer permitted to be between 8mm and 25mm, to avoid finger entrapment. The maximum football net mesh size has also been reduced from 120mm to 100mm to prevent head entrapment.

Mid-weight goals - The biggest change was the introduction of criteria allowing mid-weight goals to comply with a recognised standard, giving buyers a choice between heavier, more robust goals and lighter goals considered more appropriate for secured sites where misuse can be controlled.

Wheels - Until BS EN 16579, wheels were treated as accessories and weren't required to undergo testing. Under the new standard, wheels supplied as part of a transportation system must be independently tested.

Rugby posts - BS EN 16579 also introduced, for the first time, a safety standard for rugby posts.

BS EN 748: Full-Size 11v11 Goals

 

What does BS EN 748 cover?

BS EN 748 covers 11v11 Senior goals and 5m x 2m goals that exceed 42kg in total weight.

7.32 x 2.44m (24ft x 8ft) is the standard for full-size 11v11 match goals. 5m x 2m "Euro" goals are more often used in Europe for smaller sided games and training.

BS EN 748 has not been superseded. It sits alongside BS EN 16579 rather than being replaced by it, since the two standards cover different categories of goal.

Do I need to replace my existing goals?

Goals certified to the old standards (BS 8461 and BS 8462) are still satisfactory, and there is no requirement for facility owners to replace existing goalposts until they reach the end of their natural lifespan, provided that regular, usual inspections are carried out.

However, it's strongly recommended that any new goals purchased should be certified to BS EN 16579 or BS EN 748 as appropriate. Venues and clubs seeking FA funding/grants will need to ensure that specified goal posts meet relevant BS standards to be eligible.

Are these standards a legal requirement?

The standards are not enshrined in law, but operators have a duty of care to the people using their facilities. The Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA) recommends that all facility equipment conforms to the latest standards. For schools, local authorities, and any facility open to the public, that duty of care is a meaningful obligation - non-compliant goals that cause injury could expose an operator to significant liability.

A note on wooden goals

There is no BS or CEN standard for wooden goals, and it is unlikely that wooden goals would pass a load or stability test. All wooden goals previously tested by independent consultants have failed strength and stability tests. The FA recommends that wooden goals should be replaced with compliant metal, aluminium or UPVC goal posts.

Another note on multi-part crossbars/uprights

Multi-part uprights and crossbars are a relatively new innovation on metal goals, and whilst these goals are capable of passing safety standards their use is sometimes frowned upon by purists and traditionalists. The biggest benefit of this type of goal is that each component length is greatly reduced making them much easier, quicker and cheaper to transport from factory to field. Large flat bed lorries no longer required.

Goal safety - key rules for any goal

Whatever standard a goal is certified to, the following rules apply to all goals, of any size:

Freestanding goals must always be anchored securely to the ground or have a weighted back bar. Both socketed and portable goalposts must be assembled as per the manufacturer's instructions. If not properly assembled and anchored, portable goals may overturn. Children and adults must not be allowed to climb on, swing from, or play with any part of the goal structure. Metal cup hooks on any part of a goal frame are banned - nets must be secured with plastic fixings, arrowhead hooks, or tape. Homemade or altered goals must never be used.