FAIR PLAY MEANS EUROPA PLACE

The Fair Play League gives clubs the incentive to win a place in the UEFA Europa League and cash prizes to use positively in designated schemes.

This season the calculations gave West Ham United top place with Liverpool second and Manchester City third.

At the bottom came Sunderland in 20^th place, then Stoke, Hull, Aston Villa, Newcastle, QPR all of whom sit in similar positions in the league. Curiously Chelsea came 14^th.

The points awarded are given for Red/Yellow cards, Positive Play, respect to opponents, Respect to Match Officials and behaviour of Club Officials. The Premier League came second in the UEFA Fair Play League (of Leagues!) and so West Ham win a place in the Europa League which begins in the first week of July, a timely boost to the last season in at the old Boleyn Ground, which I know as Upton Park. Let us hope that the added burden does not distract the club from its performance in the Premier League, as it would be daunting to begin their time at the Olympic Stadium in the Championship.

Much depends on the result of the FA Cup Final as Aston Villa could earn a place and that would affect Liverpool's entry. If Arsenal win, then Liverpool go through.

The Hammers also win £30,000 to spend on one of five initiatives: investing in something to improve the atmosphere of the stadium, a club charity, an addition to help the supporters, something to envelope the community or an investment in the academy.

The best behaved supporters, this season, Liverpool, win the club £20,000 to invest on similar schemes listed above.

I would love to meet the people that visit every match and make decisions about “positive play” or the attitude of clubs towards the referee!

Clubs with the fewest fouls were Liverpool, QPR and Burnley. Listening to a pundit on Talksport recently talking about QPR's defence, he criticised them for not having enough cards to their names; How can you fight for your club's position in the division if you don't get a few yellows and reds, he said!! Look at the ages of the defenders, they are so old, I doubt whether they are quick enough to catch anybody to foul them!!!