RTÉ say John Giles has not been dropped as panellist

Contrary to reports this morning RTÉ have said that John Giles has not been dropped as a soccer panellist.

Giles will not be in the studio for RTÉ’s coverage of Ireland’s Euro 2016 clash with Scotland this week, but the broadcaster has said that it is simply just a once-off switch around of the panel.

The Irish Daily Star this morning said that Giles had been dropped in a move that "deeply upset" his fellow pundits.

The report says that despite RTÉ citing “scheduling” issues, Giles was available to work this weekend.

Richie Sadlier will instead join Eamon Dunphy, Liam Brady and presenter Darragh Maloney on Saturday.

An RTÉ spokesperson said: “Contrary to reports in this morning’s press John Giles has not been dropped as an RTÉ Soccer panellist. 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.”

The move comes as a surprise as the broadcaster consistently goes with the trio of Brady, Giles and Dunphy for crucial Ireland matches like Saturday’s.