Updated at 8.50am
RTÉ HAS DEFENDED the decision to leave veteran pundit John Giles out of their coverage of this weekend’s crucial Euro 2016 Qualifier against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium.
The Star are this morning reporting that Giles had been dropped from the panel but in a statement released to The42, the broadcaster insist ‘it is quite normal’ for changes in personnel.
“Contrary to reports in this morning’s press John Giles has not been dropped as an RTÉ Soccer panellist,” the statement read.
“John will not be on the panel for Saturday’s coverage of Ireland’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland but this is quite normal as the panel changes regularly for editorial, scheduling and availability reasons.”
RTÉ have confirmed Richie Sadlier will instead join host Darragh Maloney, Liam Brady and Eamon Dunphy at the Aviva Stadium.
Giles has been a staple of the broadcaster’s football coverage for over two decades and his fellow analysts are thought to be angered by his omission.
RTÉ’s coverage of the Group D clash begins at 4pm on Saturday with commentary from George Hamilton and Ronnie Whelan.
