A Government proposal to build a 35,000-seater stadium on the site of the former Maze jail is based on political judgment rather than a sporting or business case, football fans claimed.

The £400m proposal was the subject of an invitation-only public debate at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast last night.

Gary McCallister, who represented The Green And White Army, which speaks for more than 70 Northern Ireland supporters clubs, said there was no transparency about the Maze proposal.

"The Government has shrouded this in secrecy and won't tell us how much the project will cost or why they chose it over the Belfast proposals," he said.

"They are using sport to satisfy a political agenda.

"It's not a sporting decision - the Maze is not in the interests of football as it is too big and doesn't have good enough transport links."

He said that Sports Minister David Hanson has agreed to debate the issue in the future.

The panel also included Edwin Poots, chairman of the Maze Consultation Panel, Councillor Bob Stoker from Belfast City Council and Michael Smyth, a senior lecturer in economics and politics at the University of Ulster.

Former Belfast Telegraph journalist Darwin Templeton chaired the panel.

Last month IFA president Jim Boyce said he wanted the stadium to be in Belfast.

"I have always made it clear that I would prefer a stadium in Belfast," he said, but added that no potential developers or local authorities had come to the IFA with concrete plans.

"So far the Maze is the only site on offer but, of course, we would take a serious look at any other plans for a stadium in Belfast."

The Government is to make a final decision about the stadium at the end of the year.