The Premier League has cut SIX nominees from this year's Hall of Fame shortlist amid controversies.
The league have revealed their 15-player shortlist for the Hall of Fame, which includes the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole and Yaya Toure to name but a few.
The 15-player shortlist is down from the 25 nominees last year, with SIX icons axed - including former Southampton man Matt Le Tissier and Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.
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Le Tissier was released from the nominees after coming under intense scrutiny for his controversial takes on Covid-19, vaccines and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Evra was also removed from the shortlist after being convicted in a Paris court for making homophobic comments about Paris Saint-Germain.
Legendary Dutch trio Ruud van Nistelrooy, Edwin van der Sar and Robin van Persie as well as Teddy Sheringham join Le Tissier and Evra in being removed from the nominees.
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According to Premier League sources, the nominees had been reduced as a result of the lower number of inductees.
"New players become eligible each season upon their retirement from football," the league said.
"A number of other factors are also taken into account by the Premier League and the League’s Awards Panel.
"They include prior voting data for players included in previous Hall of Fame shortlists, eras, player positions and achievements.
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"Each player will be considered according to these factors when compiling all future shortlists."
The Premier League Hall of Fame began in 2021 and boasts 16 iconic players.
The inaugural selection in 2021 saw David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Eric Cantona, Thierry Henry, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Alan Shearer inducted.
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Sergio Aguero, Didier Drogba, Vincent Kompany, Wayne Rooney, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, Patrick Vieira and Ian Wright were later inducted.
Former Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and ex-Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger became the first managers inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Topics: Football, Premier League
Nasir Jabbar