Advertising hoarding mocking Fernando Torres to be removed

An advertising hoarding that mocked Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has been ordered by a local council to be removed.

The advert, produced by a bookmaker, was illegally placed near Blues ground Stamford Bridge, but will now be taken down under the orders of Hammersmith and Fulham Council.

The sign's slogan "Fernando – we've got an onion bag you can actually find. It's in the burger van mate. Get your hair net on" was emblazoned next to a picture of a burger being flipped.

"Poking fun at beleaguered Premier League footballers is not necessarily a problem as long as the advertising hoardings are legal," the council's deputy leader, Greg Smith, said.

"Residents don't expect hoardings to pop up everywhere willy-nilly."

Torres, who has been left out of Spain's squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Finland and France, has scored seven times in 28 Premier League appearances this term.