Casement Park in Belfast has been stripped of its status as a Euro 2028 host stadium as the UK government cannot commit to providing the funding for it to be built in time for the tournament. The government state there is “significant risk” the stadium would not be completed in time and estimated the project could now cost over £400million.

The derelict west Belfast GAA ground had been due to stage five games in Uefa’s showpiece tournament, which is being jointly hosted by the UK and Ireland in 2028. The Aviva stadium in Dublin is already set to host six games in the tournament.

The Irish government is pressing the case for Cork to host a Euro 2028 game originally earmarked for Belfast. Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin said Gaelic games venue Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork was being “seriously looked at” as a potential alternative venue.