UEFA is making contingency plans for the "extremely challenging" possibility of a Liverpool vs Rangers Europa League final in Dublin in May.
European football's governing body has reserved the 82,000-capacity Croke Park stadium as a public viewing venue, but is concerned even that might not be enough to accommodate everyone who may come to Dublin without a ticket to soak up the atmosphere for what could be Jurgen Klopp's last game as Liverpool manager.
Clubs with big followings such as Liverpool, Rangers, Roma, AC Milan, West Ham United and Marseille are all still in the competition and all could all be in Friday's quarter-final draw.
The final will be played at the 51,700 capacity Aviva Stadium on 22 May with tickets priced between £80 and £1,700.
If Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen both make it to the final the game could see Klopp taking on his potential successor Xabi Alonso.
Without naming any clubs, UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis said on Tuesday that the Europa final had already been identified as a possible flashpoint this summer.
"Under certain conditions, because of the potential teams that could qualify, this might end up being the most challenging for us," Theodoridis said.
"We know they will bring a number of supporters without tickets and then there is the issue of potential public viewing venues.
"There are a couple of pairings - I won't speculate on the names but you are clever enough to work it out - that would be extremely challenging to find ways to accommodate everybody that will be present for that game.
"We have already reserved Croke Park as a potential public viewing venue, but that could not be enough.
"We are working on this already, together with the local authorities and also Football Supporters Europe.
"If we do get to one of those scenarios, we will also go to the supporters of the clubs involved to find the best solution.
"The biggest problem we have now is whether Croke Park would be big enough - because we think we would need more alternatives for public viewing for the people who will be in Dublin.
"It's not an easy operation and it is just for a couple of scenarios which would make it extremely complicated - especially with clubs who already have a large fanbase on the island of Ireland.
"But we are working on it and will involve the fanbases as well. We have to see who gets to the semis and then we will start to work with them as well."
African_Scouser
1
Come to FNB Stadium in South Africa🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 94 000 Capacity
besacelmpy
1
Lot of Liverpool fans in Ireland. They regularly travel across the Irish sea to watch the match at Anfield. Might be a lot that turns up in Dublin plus the travelling fans. If we make it.
Bouaeiosuy
0
another 7-0 loading. what are you even doing in the comment section😭🤣🤣.
I will leave you for sunday first & remind you in the 2nd trip to Old Trafford than show you an FA Cup trophy
Vicdeiknop
2
Non of those both teams will make it to the final, useless article of the month
another 7-0 loading. what are you even doing in the comment section😭🤣🤣.
Ramabikosu
2
Non of those both teams will make it to the final, useless article of the month
cry more
Bouaeiosuy
3
Non of those both teams will make it to the final, useless article of the month
nedabdrsz
0
UEFA is a very useless organisation that is why many of us think super league advocate are right. Why should they fix Dublin as final stadium to play a cup final when there is no resources to accommodate people for the match ? Meaning many people will loose their lives.
I am not concerned about Liverpool in Final. why are they prompting UEL when they are not prepared to guarantee fans welfare. Today Liverpool is playing in the competition, tomorrow it may be Manchester United.
Kwocodile
0
UEFA is a very useless organisation that is why many of us think super league advocate are right. Why should they fix Dublin as final stadium to play a cup final when there is no resources to accommodate people for the match ? Meaning many people will loose their lives.
Because is not UCL which is their biggest match of the year. Bigger venue cost money and UEL is never expected to compete against UCL in terms of revenue. This is more of a one time thing with Liverpool potentially going to make the final and Klopp's last European match making it even bigger than it usually is
nedabdrsz
3
UEFA is a very useless organisation that is why many of us think super league advocate are right. Why should they fix Dublin as final stadium to play a cup final when there is no resources to accommodate people for the match ? Meaning many people will loose their lives.