boardcast 2

Fulham look set to return to European football next season, sitting in pole position to win a place in the Europa League via Fair Play.

UEFA gives an extra European place to the top three ranked nations based on a number of Fair Play criteria. England is currently second to Norway. The top placed team from those nations, based upon the same ranking, is then put forward.

At present it is Chelsea who top the table, but as they will almost certainly qualify for Europe via their league position the place will drop down to the next club, which happens to be the Fulham.

Positive play, respect for the opposition and the referee, crowd behaviour and of team officials, as well as a club's disciplinary record, is taken into account.

Fulham reached the Europa League final in 2010, losing to Atletico Madrid in extra-time in Hamburg. They have spent all of this season in the bottom half of the table, but Mark Hughes' side look set for another European trip.

But qualification through the Fair Play league can be a poisoned chalice, as teams must start in the First Qualifying Round, which starts at the beginning of July - just six weeks after the end of the Premier League season.
← BACK
Print This Article
View text-based website