ADVERTISEMENT

Soccer-West Ham on course for fair play Europa League spot

LONDON, May 8 (Reuters) - West Ham United are on course for a place in next season's Europa League after UEFA said on Friday that the Premier League would be granted an additional fair play place.

England finished second in UEFA's fair play table, behind the Netherlands, and will earn an extra spot in the Europa League's first qualifying round.

"Winners Netherlands, second-placed England... will each be granted one additional slot to the first qualifying round of the 2015-16 UEFA Europa League," UEFA said in a statement.

"The fair play assessments are made by the official UEFA delegates on criteria such as positive play, respect of the opponent, respect of the referee, behaviour of the crowd and of the team officials, as well as cautions and dismissals."

Liverpool top the Premier League's fair play league but Brendan Rodgers's side sit fifth in the league and are expected to qualify for Europe.

ADVERTISEMENT

West Ham, second in the fair play standings, are primed to take the vacant spot but Everton, who are 11th in the Premier League, are third in the table, with Manchester City fourth and relegation-threatened Burnley fifth.

City look likely to qualify for Europe via the Champions League, however, so Burnley could play in the Europa League even if they are relegated to the Championship.

There are three Premier League matches remaining and West Ham host Everton in the penultimate round of fixtures.

The teams finishing fifth and sixth in the Premier League qualify for a Europa League spot but the seventh-placed team could also get in if second-placed Arsenal win the FA Cup as they would relinquish their place having all but reached the Champions League. (Reporting by Michael Hann, editing by Ed Osmond)

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Alake calls on Badaru to fish out illegal miners, violators of mining laws

Alake calls on Badaru to fish out illegal miners, violators of mining laws

Divers find bodies of 2 people who drowned after Baltimore bridge collapsed

Divers find bodies of 2 people who drowned after Baltimore bridge collapsed

INEC rejects LP's National convention in Anambra, questions venue change

INEC rejects LP's National convention in Anambra, questions venue change

8 people including professor declared wanted over killing of 17 soldiers

8 people including professor declared wanted over killing of 17 soldiers

INEC to publish credentials of 17 Edo governorship candidates on Saturday

INEC to publish credentials of 17 Edo governorship candidates on Saturday

Hardship: Abiodun to begin sale of rice to Ogun residents at 50% discount

Hardship: Abiodun to begin sale of rice to Ogun residents at 50% discount

Labour Party offers Peter Obi 2027 presidential ticket unopposed

Labour Party offers Peter Obi 2027 presidential ticket unopposed

Allow us build seaports, railways to develop the South-East - Ohanaeze tells FG

Allow us build seaports, railways to develop the South-East - Ohanaeze tells FG

UCH Ibadan workers are tired of working in darkness as power outage persists

UCH Ibadan workers are tired of working in darkness as power outage persists

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT