Monday 18 May 2015

Fair play is a door to Europe

As the season draws to a close, teams are battling to avoid relegation and qualify for Europe.

However the qualification for Europe, involves teams that at first glance are surprising. West Ham, Everton and Burnley.

This table is the gateway to Europe
The 3 highest placed national associations in the UEFA Respect Fair Play ranking receive an extra qualification place for the first qualifying round of the Europa League. England finished, second and are allocated the additional place.

This place goes to the highest ranked team in the Premier League fair play table, which is calculated based on yellow and red cards, attractive football, respect for the opposition, and respect for the referee.

As Manchester City have already qualified for Europe, and Liverpool are likely to, the battle for the place, will be between West Ham, Everton and Burnley.

So don't be surprised if you see any of those 3 showing a fair amount of respect to the opposition.

If Aston Villa win the FA cup they will also qualify, which just goes to show, European ambitions aren't met just by finishing in the top 6.