Burnley given Europa League hope via Fair Play League

[khay 10]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8653443.stm

 

Relegated Burnley could be handed a Europa League place as a result of Fulham's progress in the competition.

 

Should Fulham beat Atletico Madrid in May's final then Burnley are in line to qualify via the Fair Play League.

 

Burnley are behind Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea in the fair play table, but those sides will make Europe via their league placing.

 

"There is an outside chance and that depends on how Fulham get on," said Burnley manager Brian Laws.

 

England are currently placed third in Uefa's most recent continental fair play table, behind Sweden and Denmark, and if that continues the Premier League would be granted the final additional spot in the Europa League's first qualifying round.

 

The teams that finish in the top four of the English Premier League, currently Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham will qualify for the Champions League.

 

Entry to the Europa League will go to the next two teams, who finish fifth and sixth.

 

The winners of the FA Cup, which sees Portsmouth take on Chelsea in the final, also qualify for the Europa League.

 

Carlo Ancelotti's side have already qualified for the Champions League, but cash-strapped Portsmouth failed to lodge an entry, meaning an extra place will go to the team that finishes seventh in the Premier League table, which is currently Liverpool.

 

An eighth European qualifier from England could come via the fair play route.

 

Arsenal, who lead the Fair Play League, Manchester United (fourth) and Chelsea (fifth) will appear in next season's Champions League and could be joined by Tottenham (second) who will play in the Europa League if they fail to secure a top-four finish.

 

Fulham (third in the fair play table) would also qualify for next season's Europa League as holders if they defeat Atletico in Hamburg next month, leaving Burnley as the next club in line to qualify via the Fair Play League.

 

"If they (Fulham) win the competition we have a chance of slipping in there," said Laws.

 

"That would be fantastic for the club and the town. It is a long shot but we will wait and see what happens."

 

Britain will be represented by several other clubs in European competitions next season.

 

Scotland earn five places for Europe with the winners (Rangers) and runners up (Celtic) of the Scottish Premier League entering the Champions League.

 

Two spots in the Europa League go the teams finishing third and fourth with Dundee United and Motherwell currently occupying those positions.

 

An additional place is awarded to the winner of the Scottish Cup which this year sees Dundee United face Division One side Ross County.

 

Dundee United have already qualified for Europe via their league placing so if they go on to win the Cup, the team finishing fifth in the SPL (currently Hibernian) would gain entry.

 

But if Ross County win the Scottish Cup final then they will play in next season's Europa League.

 

Wales get four places, one in the Champions League and three in the Europa League.

 

As winners of the Welsh Premier League, The New Saints will take their place in the Champions League.

 

Llanelli and Port Talbot qualify for the Europa League having come second and third in the table.

 

A fourth place goes to the winners of the Welsh Cup which this year sees Port Talbot play Bangor City in the final.

 

Port Talbot have already qualified for Europe through their league finish so if they win the Welsh Cup, the last place would be awarded to the team finishing fourth in the table - Aberystwyth Town.

 

Bangor City will play in Europe if they defeat Port Talbot on Saturday, thus denying Aberystwyth Town a place.

 

Northern Ireland also get four places with Linfield playing in the Champions League having won the Premiership.

 

Cliftonville and Glentoran earn entry into the Europa League as a result of coming second and third while Portadown gain a place after reaching the Irish Cup final where they face Linfield, who have already qualified for the Champions League.

 

Laws first manager to relegate two teams in a season and qualify for Europe?

[Billy Castell 0]

Depends on the number of red and yellow cards throughout the whole league doesn't it? If it does we'll bugger it up for Burnley-We're playing Arsenal tomorrow.

[khay 10]

Missed out - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8653443.stm

[Dr Gloom 22345]

never has the jesus wept emoticon been so appropriate

 

that said, didn't we get in via this route one year?

[Guest alex]

never has the jesus wept emoticon been so appropriate

 

that said, didn't we get in via this route one year?

Not sure that we did although I think it was mentioned as a possibility one season but didn't actually make it. Couldn't swear to that like. I think we nearly got in Europe via the Inter-toto under SBR (even though teams had finished above us since they didn't enter the comp) but we lost the 'final' to Troyes anyway.