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 the Premier League revealed its shortlist after a group of notable names were absent following the reveal of a smaller line-up than usual.
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 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.
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.
This year Jermain Defoe and Michael Carrick were nominated for the first time as part of 15 players who have been recognised for their 'exceptional' record of success.
A total of 16 English top-flight icons have been inducted into the Premier League's Hall of Fame since its inception in 2021, including the likes of Thierry Henry, Alan Shearer and David Beckham.
And earlier this week Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger also became the first managers to enter the esteemed club.
Several ex-players have been nominated for a third time this year, having missed out on a place in the Hall of Fame on two previous occasions; with Tony Adams, Sol Campbell, Andy Cole, Ashley Cole, Les Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen, John Terry and Nemanja Vidic all hoping for third time lucky in 2023.
Petr Cech, Gary Neville and Yaya Toure are also in the running again having made it onto the shortlist for the first time in 2022.
Shortlisting takes into account Premier League statistics of players who have been retired as of 1 January 2023, as well as voting data from previous Hall of Fame shortlists.
Fans can vote for the Premier League legend they want to join the Hall of Fame by clicking here or using the official Premier League app.
Voting is open until 6pm on Monday 10 April, with the three latest inductees to be revealed on Wednesday 3 May.
Each inductee receives a personalised medallion along with a £10,000 donation made by the Premier League to a charity of their choice.
It comes after Ferguson and Wenger both admitted their pride after becoming the first managers to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
'I'm truly delighted to be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame. It's an honour when you receive recognition like this,' said Ferguson, who claimed a record 13 titles in his legendary career as United boss.
'However, it's not just about me as a person. It's about the job at Manchester United and the bond we had over many years, so I'm also proud for the club, the staff and my players.
'My job was to send the fans home happy. United's history and my own expectations were the things that drove me, and I then had to try and develop all my players with the same expectations and make sure we could go out and achieve them.
Wenger added: 'I am very grateful to have been selected for the Premier League Hall of Fame. We always wanted to give something special to the fans and when you have players capable of remarkable things, the most important thing for me is the obligation of perfection.
'I'd like to be known as someone who loved Arsenal, who respected the values of the club and left it in a position where it can grow and become even bigger.'