The announcement was made tonight (13 September) in a joint letter from NI Secretary Hilary Benn and Sports Minister Lisa Nandy to Communities Minister Gordon Lyons.

Mr Honeyford has said: “To learn that the UK Government won’t be funding Casement Park to be developed in time to host Euro 2028 matches is disappointing enough.

“However, for the news to come on the same day as the government’s announcement that City Deals funding is to be paused, impacting towns and cities crying out for investment and regeneration right across NI, is particularly galling.

“The Euros is the third largest sporting event in the world. That the local economy will miss out on such a monumental boost, and that we in general will miss out on such a great opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland and our sporting legacy on the world stage is incredibly disheartening.

“Alliance has consistently called for Casement Park to be built and completed in time to reap all the benefits of Euro 2028, and we want to see the project ultimately completed, despite what promises have now been broken. We will therefore continue engaging with the Secretary of State and the UK Government on this going forward.”