UEFA defends decision to stage Europa League final in Basel

UEFA has defended the choice of FC Basel's St. Jakob-Park as the venue for the 2016 Europa League final.

The decision, made in September 2014, came under scrutiny due to the ground's modest 35,000 capacity, particularly when European giants Sevilla and Liverpool were confirmed to meet in the May 18 showpiece.

"Of course, it is impossible to predict in advance which clubs will reach the final," UEFA said in a statement.

"Europe's largest stadiums are usually selected to host the Champions League final, and Uefa tends to select slightly smaller, top-quality venues for the Europa League final.

"This means UEFA can give more of its national associations an opportunity to host a club final, and gives fans across Europe the chance to experience a major final in their home nation."

The Champions League final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will be staged on May 28 at the San Siro in Milan, which has a capacity of just over 80,000.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp encouraged as many as 100,000 Reds' fans to travel to Basel regardless of having a ticket, but reports since have suggested chances of attending the final could be slim. Liverpool will be allotted 10,236 tickets, but after commercial partners, tickets afforded to players and officials, and "contractual" supporters (seasonal hospitality members, priority rights holders, and other privileged parties), just 4,811 will be available for open sale to the club's supporters, reports Telegraph Sport.

That total amounts to just 5.6 percent of season ticket holders at Anfield.

The final will be the first time Liverpool has competed in one in continental competition since it was defeated by AC Milan in the Champions League in 2007. Sevilla, meanwhile, is seeking an incredible third consecutive Europa League triumph.