Match of the Day editors have been forced to make a change because of a Chelsea player
Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Wesley Fofana
Enzo Fernandez started the season at Chelsea(Image: Getty Images)
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The BBC have been forced to delete Enzo Fernandez from Match of the Day's opening montage. The Argentine featured in the show's intro, set against the backdrop of the iconic theme tune, at the start of the season.
Fernandez was still a Chelsea player at the time while being heavily linked with a reunion with Enzo Maresca at Manchester City. The midfielder eventually got his wish and left Stamford Bridge for City in a British record-equalling £125million deal ahead of the transfer deadline.
Chelsea had initially set their own deadline of August 14 for clubs to make offers for Fernandez. But with that having come and gone, City then made another late move, prompting intense negotiations over the fee before a settlement was reached.
The transfer caused a headache for Match of the Day editors, who have removed Fernandez in Chelsea attire from its title sequence and replaced him with another ex-Blues player, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall of Everton.
In light of recent events, Fernandez may be questioning the wisdom of his move after City were found guilty of all but one of the 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League.
The Etihad club, who continue to deny any wrongdoing and have appealed against the verdict, face severe sanctions, including possible expulsion from the Premier League, a points penalty and a huge fine.
Enzo Fernandez's place in the original Match of the Day intro for this season
Fernandez's place in the original Match of the Day intro for this season (Image: BBC)
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Despite the verdict, City have remained on the front foot. As they announced their appeal, the club called the verdict an "opinion" that contained "clear material errors, of law, principle and fact, and is unsafe."
Their statement added: "The club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions relating to this case.
"We will continue to respect due process and are necessarily restricted in what we can say further until all proceedings are complete."
Enzo Fernandez celebrates
Fernandez has walked into a storm at Manchester City(Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar)
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Meanwhile, the Football Association says it is "carefully considering" the implications of the findings into City. An FA statement read: "The independent commission’s decision has significant implications for the integrity of the game. We are carefully considering the decision and its implications and will take action where appropriate.
"As proceedings between the Premier League and Manchester City Football Club remain ongoing, we do not intend to comment further at this stage. We will, however, continue to monitor developments closely."