Coyle denies McClean was dropped over poppy politics

WIGAN manager Owen Coyle is ‘embarrassed’ at claims that winger James McClean was dropped from the squad ahead of yesterday’s 1-0 win at Yeovil because he refused to wear a shirt embroidered with a poppy. The Derry-born winger, who moved to the Latics from Sunderland in the summer, received death threats and faced a storm of criticism last year after opting to wear an unmarked shirt against Everton in the runup to Remembrance Day. Rumours escalated on Sunday afternoon that the Republic of Ireland international (below) had been dropped from the Wigan squad over the issue — but Coyle revealed he sustained a dead leg in training and had simply missed out due to injury. Coyle said: ‘The only reason James McClean didn’t play today because he was injured, it’s as simple as that. ‘He would certainly have been involved if he was fit. I’m never evasive and always up front, but I’m actually embarrassed that I’m getting asked that question in this day and age.’ The Republic of Ireland international was reportedly at home in Derry yesterday. Meanwhile, the £897million deal that saw BT Sport snatch the Champions League from Sky and ITV will change the landscape of the

game. With the money for competing in the Champions League set to double to around £20m per club per season from 2015, never will it have been more important to finish in the top four of the Barclays Premier League. But for the first time, qualification for the Europa League will also come with significant financial rewards, which in turn should help to reinvigorate the FA Cup and the League Cup as a route into Europe. Yesterday the deal was being described as the most seismic shift in English football since the birth of the Premier League and the massive cash injection that came from Sky TV. ‘It’s a mindblowing deal,’ said Simon Johnson, former director of corporate affairs at the FA. ‘The money involved obviously makes it all the more important to qualify for the Champions League. But the really interesting bit for me is the fact that clubs are going to earn proper income from the Europa League. It won’t compare to the Champions League money but for the first time it will actually be financially worthwhile.’ Striking a deal with one broadcaster for both European club competitions was a major attraction for UEFA, aside from the fact that BT were offering double what Sky and ITV paid for the last three-year deal. BT promised to promote the Europa League on Champions League nights and to make the final of both tournaments free-toair across all platforms, as well as one game involving each English club.