Ryan Giggs omitted from Premier League Hall of Fame shortlist as 15 nominees revealed
Manchester United figures feature heavily on the list that includes Eden Hazard and Cesc Fàbregas; fans can vote until Sept. 15 ahead of a Nov. 4 induction
Ryan Giggs has again been left off the Premier League Hall of Fame shortlist as the competition published a 15-strong list of nominees that includes several of his former Manchester United team-mates.
The shortlist names Patrice Evra and Teddy Sheringham for the first time, joining Gary Neville, Michael Carrick, Nemanja Vidić, Edwin van der Sar and Michael Owen among the Manchester United representatives. Chelsea pair Eden Hazard and Cesc Fàbregas are the headline nominees from outside Old Trafford, while the list is completed by Sol Campbell, Robbie Fowler, Jermain Defoe, David Silva, Yaya Touré and Les Ferdinand.
Giggs, 51, has not been nominated to the Premier League Hall of Fame since its launch in 2021 despite a playing career that included 13 English league titles and a competition record 162 assists. His absence from this year's list comes amid public scrutiny of his personal life and a high-profile legal case that the Hall of Fame panel and fan voters may have taken into account.
The former Wales manager has been subject to a series of widely reported personal controversies. Media reports have linked him to an affair with his brother's wife and to legal measures taken after a reported relationship with television personality Imogen Thomas. His managerial spell with Wales ended following an arrest on suspicion of assault in 2020; Giggs denied the allegations and was cleared in 2023 after his former partner withdrew from a retrial. He has not returned to first-team management since and is employed in a behind-the-scenes role as director of football at Salford City.
The Premier League said the 15 nominees span four decades of the competition and together account for more than 5,000 appearances, in excess of 1,000 goals and 44 league titles. Supporters can cast votes via the league's app and website until Sept. 15. After the fan vote closes, the results will be presented to the 24 current Hall of Famers, who will make the final decision on the two players to be inducted.
The two inductees will be honoured at a ceremony in London on Nov. 4. Each will receive a medallion and the league will make a £10,000 donation in their name to a charity of their choice.
The Hall of Fame has previously included leading figures of the Premier League era such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry and Wayne Rooney. Chelsea already have five players in the Hall of Fame — Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Petr Čech, John Terry and Ashley Cole — and could increase that number if Hazard or Fàbregas are selected.
Organisers did not comment on the omission of Giggs from the shortlist. Voting details and the full list of nominees were published by the Premier League on its app and official website.