Ex-UEFA strategist confirms planning for Euro 2028 going ahead without Casement Park

It comes as the shadow Secretary of State Hillary Benn has ruled out giving a “blank cheque” to the redevelopment if as predicted Labour form the next government in Westminster.

During a visit to NI back in May, Rishi Sunak promised a “significant” contribution to the bill for the stadium which is expected to exceed £300m – the PM also acknowledged the “great legacy” the tournament would leave for Belfast.

However, there are significant doubts over the project after GAA president Jarlath Burns admitted he is “very pessimistic” about the prospect of the tournament matches being played in stadium.

Last week the Belfast Telegraph revealed that senior Irish FA officials are lobbying key figures in the Labour Party.

However, when quizzed on Tuesday morning, Mr Benn refused to give any commitment to the project on behalf of Labour.

“I can’t give a blank cheque and you wouldn’t expect me to given the huge rise in the costs there have been and we don’t yet know what the full sum is,” he told BBC NI’s Good Morning Ulster.

“What I do commit to do is to sit down urgently with all the parties and say there is a responsibility on the UK government to make a contribution, but can the other parties contribute more and where would that leave [it] in terms of the overall cost.”

Meanwhile, former senior UEFA strategist Ian Mallon told the programme a senior person within the organisation involved in the planning for the 2028 tournament confirmed Northern Ireland will not be part of hosting the competition.

WATCH: Fly through video of the proposed new GAA Stadium

“It is very easy for politicians to commit before elections and many do and the fact Hilary Benn didn’t commit to the project shows the cost and complexities locally will effectively mean, Northern Ireland will be rubbed from the roster of EURO 2028,” he said.

“The planning is going ahead without Northern Ireland and that really is a grave pity. It is such a huge disappointment for Northern Ireland.

“In advance of todays interview I contacted a very senior person who is involved operationally in Euro 2028, very senior.

“I said to him would it be fair if I go on this breakfast programme in the morning to say Northern Ireland would not be part of it, and I just got back a simple ‘yep’. This is a guy I trust.”

Last week Stormont’s economy minister has warned it would be “an absolute disgrace” if the Executive allows Casement Park to miss out on the chance to host games.

“If people don’t follow through on their commitments, if we don’t get the people in the Executive with responsibility in terms of getting this project moving actually taking responsibility for that, if we don’t get the British Government delivering on promises – that does put at risk the hosting of the Euros,” the Sinn Fein MLA said.