UEFA, European football’s regulatory agency, is preparing itself for the potential “highly difficult” event of a Rangers vs Liverpool Europa League final in Dublin. The governing body has earmarked the 82,000-seat stadium 4 as a likely fan zone, but fears it may not have sufficient capacity to host all the spectators who might arrive in Dublin without a ticket, simply to absorb the vibrant match atmosphere set for Wednesday, 22nd May.
Both clubs enjoy substantial support in Ireland, and as they are both still strong contenders to make it to the Aviva Stadium’s final, concerns are rising. Rangers are poised evenly with Benfica as they head into the Thursday’s second leg at Ibrox, while Liverpool leads 5-1 against Sparta Prague, awaiting their home leg at Anfield.
There could also be other combinations that might prove troublesome for UEFA. Its General Secretary, Theodore Theodoridis, cautioned on Tuesday, “This year’s biggest potential difficulty could be the Europa League final due to some potential teams’ qualifications – it might turn out to be our most serious challenge.”
He spoke of the potential for large numbers of ticketless fans and the need for suitable public viewing areas. Although Croke Park has already been reserved as a potential viewing venue, it might not suffice.
Theodoridis hinted at certain team combinations, without mentioning names, that could present significant challenges in accommodating everyone attending the match. UEFA is already collaborating with local authorities and Football Supporters Europe to address the issue.
Fans would also be consulted to derive the best solution if such scenarios become a reality, Theodoridis said. His current primary concern is whether Croke Park will have enough capacity, suggesting other public viewing alternatives may be necessary for those in Dublin.
The operation’s complexity is underscored by potential scenarios involving clubs that already have a substantial fan base in Ireland. As they continue their preparations, UEFA plans to involve fans, and once the semi-finalists are confirmed, they will start coordinating with them as well.