Jim Boyce says no one from IFA has reached out to him after Windsor Park 'snub' on Tuesday evening

Mr Boyce said he felt hurt and insulted ahead of the Northern Ireland women’s Nations League game when he was turned away from the George Best Lounge.

The ex-Irish Football Association president, and honorary life member of the association, had expected to catch up with some old friends from Uefa who were in Belfast to assess progress on the Casement Park project.

The function was also attended by the First and Deputy First Ministers, Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little Pengelly, and GAA president Jarlath Burns.

While Mr Boyce would normally access the George Best Lounge on international match days, on this occasion he was directed to an alternative lounge away from the gathering.

“I’ve never felt so insulted in all my life. To be honest I also felt very hurt. I have always tried to do my best for the IFA and football in Northern Ireland and for this to happen I’m shocked,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.

When contacted by the News Letter on Wednesday, Mr Boyce said no one from the IFA had reached out to him since the perceived snub.

“I haven’t heard anything from anybody,” he said.

“It was something that hurt me greatly, but as far as I am concerned it is over.”

In the original interview, he said: “I couldn’t care less even if I wasn’t in a lounge. I come to the matches to support Northern Ireland and see old friends.

“Whether the IFA wanted to keep me out in case I was asked my opinion about certain matters I don’t know because they would be aware if asked I would give my opinion.

“It wouldn’t happen anywhere else in the world where the honorary life president of the association is refused admission to the official gathering. Seemingly it was only for Uefa officials, the delegation from the GAA and the politicians as well as current Irish FA officials.”

An IFA spokesperson said: “Jim is a stalwart of football in Northern Ireland. We were delighted to host him, alongside other members of the football family, in the Danny Blanchflower Lounge whilst, on this occasion, those working directly on the EURO 2028 project were housed in the George Best Lounge."