The Europa League final could bring “carnage” to the streets of Dublin if certain teams make the final, a leading sports journalist has claimed.

Tickets for the match in the Aviva Stadium on May 22nd went on sale today - with just eight teams remaining in the competition.

The Irish Sun’s Chief Sports Writer Neil O’Riordan said Dublin may struggle to cope with large numbers of overseas fans travelling to the city.

All-English final

On The Hard Shoulder today, he said he was particularly concerned over the possibility of an all-English final with Liverpool and West Ham.

“The expectation would be, if both teams progress to the final, there will be a huge number of fans travelling here,” he said.

“Not just ones with tickets for the game but people who just want to savour the atmosphere, particularly as it could be Jurgen Klopp’s last game with Liverpool.

“I think the main issue is the proximity.

“A number of years ago Rangers splayed a European final in Manchester and they were estimated to have brought around 200,000 fans there and there was lots of trouble at it.”

Jurgen Klopp will be stepping down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Mr O’Riordan said a fan zone in Croke Park could alleviate some of these concerns.

“The suggestion is there will be giant screens placed on the pitch in Croke Park and people will be able to watch from the stands, which will cater for the large number of fans without tickets,” he said.

“It would relieve some stress on the rest of the city, but accommodation is clearly an issue - there won’t be sufficient hotel beds together for the number of people who want to travel.”

Security risk

He said matches of this calibre also come with a security risk.

“For any sporting event of that size there does be a security risk," said Mr O’Riordan.

“Ireland is seen as low risk compared to other countries in Europe but once you bring a sporting event with teams from other countries the security risk does rise.

“I assume it’s being looked at, but we’re not privy to the details.”

The Europa League fanzine is to be located in Croke Park. Image: Stephen Power / Alamy Stock Photo

Mr O’Riordan said there is “every chance” travelling fans could be sleeping on the streets due to a lack of hotel space in the city.

“Between ferries and planes there will be enough ways for fans to get back home," he said.

“People would feel that they can survive without a hotel bed if there is none to be had or if it’s not in their price range - it could be carnage.”

The teams left in the competition are Liverpool, West Ham, AC Milan, Marseille, Roma, Bayer Leverkusen, Benfica and Atalanta.

The second leg of the quarter-finals will be played on April 18th.