Speaking at the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on Tuesday, Secretary of State Hilary Benn pointed the finger at the previous government for the fact that Casement Park would not be built in time for Euro 2028.

“It’s a great sadness for everybody, what a great opportunity this was for football in Northern Ireland,” he told the committee.

“When the Euros were awarded to the United Kingdom and Ireland everyone thought ‘right, that’s Casement Park done and dusted’ because the last government said ‘yes it will be built, we’ll find the money’.

“We got elected in July and of course nothing had been done, nothing for 18 months apart from warm words.”

He said the Labour government consulted on whether it would be possible to get Casement built in time for the Euros and was told if more than £400m was spent on the project it might be ready, but there would be no guarantee.

“So I’m afraid the only decision we could reach was this can’t go ahead and that then left ‘well what are we going to do now?'” he said.

“What the prime minster has said is we need to see an alternative proposition. At the moment we don’t know the answer to that question.”

Mr Benn said he is not in a position to say whether the UK would make a contribution.

“In the end you’re going to have to have a proposition with a sum of money that is capable of building it bearing in mind the continuing effects of building price inflation,” he said.

“I think in the interests of respecting all of the sporting traditions in Northern Ireland it’s important that Casement Park is built.”