sport news Six Premier League icons CUT from 2023 Hall of Fame nominees list - including ... trends now

Six Premier League icons have been cut from this year's Hall of Fame nominees shortlist - including Matt Le Tissier and Patrice Evra - despite being named in last year's list.

The top flight announced a group of 15 legends who could be selected to join its exclusive Hall of Fame club - which kicked off in 2021 - with fans now invited to cast their votes to induct three players alongside 16 existing stars.

But there was a surprise after a group of notable names were absent following the reveal of a smaller line-up than usual from the Premier League. 

Le Tissier, Evra, Teddy Sheringham, Edwin van der Sar, Robin van Persie and Ruud van Nistelrooy were taken off the shortlist, having made the cut in 2022. 

Southampton legend Le Tissier has come under fire for his controversial views and conspiracy theories. The former Sky Sports pundit - who was axed by the broadcaster in 2020 - has consistently peddled theories about Covid and vaccines, claiming PCR tests were 'the biggest fraud ever perpetuated on mankind'.

He also said images of destruction in Ukraine were 'falsified' and reposted a Tweet claiming the media had 'lied' about a number of stories.

Also missing out was Man United icon Evra - who was convicted by a Paris court for making homophobic statements in 2019, which saw him call PSG 'queers'.  He has since apologised and admitted he has 'so much to learn'. 

The six players being cut from the shortlist comes despite every player on the 2021 shortlist being nominated for the 2022 edition - when there were 25 nominees.

The absence of Dutch trio of Van der Sar, Van Nistelrooy and Van Persie will come as a particular shock after their gleaming success in the Premier League and with Man United. Former goalkeeper Van der Sar played 186 top flight games and won the title four times, while Van Nistelrooy netted 95 goals in 150 league appearances.

Van Persie bagged 144 goals across his spells with Arsenal and United and won the title in his first season with the Red Devils in 2012-13.  

The Premier League said the number of inductees may vary each season - and said that because there were three inductees rather than six previously, the number of nominees has been adjusted accordingly.