UEFA bracing itself for 'extremely challenging' Europa League Final ...

The 82,000 capacity Croke Park has been earmarked by officials for a 'fan zone'.

Football's governing body UEFA has reserved Croke Park as a potential fan zone... but, they're concerned it won't be enough. 

Officials are worried that the 82,000 capacity stadium might not be able to accommodate fans turning up to Dublin without a ticket. 

Thousands of supporters are expected to descend on the city for the event, with a Liverpool v Rangers tie a potential. 

Both clubs have fans across the country and further afield. 

Speaking yesterday, General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis said the final could be one of the "biggest challenges" for the body. 

He revealed that if certain clubs reach the final, they would be concerned whether Croker would be big enough, with more alternatives for public viewing needed. 

Mr Theodoridis added: “One of the biggest challenges for us this year could be the Europa League final. Under certain conditions, because of the potential teams that could qualify, this might end up being the most challenging for us."

“We know they will bring a number of supporters without tickets and then there is the issue of potential public viewing venues. We have already reserved Croke Park as a potential public viewing venue, but that could not be enough."

“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 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.”

The final takes place in the Aviva on Wednesday May 22nd.