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Everton and West Ham face the prospect of a fairplay shoot-out next weekend, which could decide who gets a place in next season’s Europa League!

But in a bizarre twist it won’t be the winner of the match who benefits, but the team which behaves in the most sporting manner!

After a long and convoluted process the Premier League could gain an extra place in next season’s Europa League via UEFA’s Fair Play table.

Europe’s three leagues with the highest combined points total at the end of the campaign gain an extra qualification spot - and the Premier League currently sits third behind the Republic of Ireland and Netherlands.

The highest placed team in the Premier League’s own fair play table is then offered a Europa League slot. Liverpool, who are currently likely to qualify for the Europa League through league placing, are top. In second and third are West Ham United and Everton - who clash at Upton Park next Saturday!

That’s the good news.

The bad news is that clubs offered a Fair Play route into Europe have to start in the first qualifying round on July 1!

Will The Hammers and Everton be stepping aside, Mo Besic saying “After you?” and Kevin Nolan replying: “Why no, I insist, after YOU!” in order to claim the Fair Play spot?

Or will they be scything lumps out of each other in a bid to avoid what could be seen as a poisoned chalice?

Fulham were handed just such a route into Europe in 2011 and kicked off their campaign on June 30 in the Faroe Islands.

A quick summary of UEFA’s Fair Play League.

How do clubs amass Fair Play points?

Simple answer. In very complicated fashion.

The Barclays Premier League’s own website states: “Teams are assessed in five categories, with a further category relating to the behaviour of the public.”

Those five categories include red and yellow cards, positive play, respect towards opponents, respect towards the referee and behaviour of team officials.

Independent delegates assess the final four categories - which include indefinables like a team’s tactics, efforts to gain time (e.g. bringing the ball back into play quickly even if the team is in a winning position), slowing down the game, time wasting and simulation.

How is behaviour of the public measured?

All teams begin with a score of five points, but a maximum of a further five points can be added for “acceptable” verbal support and recognition of outstanding play by the opposition.

A maximum of five points can be deducted for persistent foul and abusive language, persistent abuse of the officials’ decisions and aggressive and threatening conduct towards opposing fans.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes believes his side suffers because Potters’ fans use the Tom Jones anthem ‘Delilah’ as an anthem.

The lyrics appear to promote domestic violence and Hughes believes his side are being marked down in the UEFA Fair Play League as a result.

“Apparently we get knocked down because the fans have a Tom Jones song,” he said. “It’s unbelievable.

“I don’t think there’s a problem with them singing it. It’s crazy from my point of view.

“The Fair Play table is a waste of time.

“Whether Fair Play merits a European place is open to discussion. But it’s a good prize.”

Which clubs are currently top of the Premier League Fair Play Table?

It’s a tense, tight fight at the top of the Premier League table.

Liverpool lead the way on 8.3 points, jointly with West Ham.

But locked in joint second place on 8.2 are Everton, Manchester City, Southampton and Burnley.

Stoke, with their: “She felt the knife in my hand and she laughed no more” lyrics, are way down in 17th.

Have any Premier League teams qualified through these means before?

Yes, Fulham’s good behaviour in 2010/11 paid off as they qualified for the following season’s Europa League via the Fair Play route. The Cottagers finished ahead of Blackpool by just 0.01 points - and ended up finishing a respectable ninth in the Premier League the season that they also competed in Europe - a campaign which kicked off on June 30!

What’s the future for the Fair Play League?

Norway, Sweden and Finland all benefited from an extra place in the Europa League last season.

But as from 2016/17 there will no longer be a Europa League prize for the top three nations. Instead, a financial bonus will be paid to the best Fair Play association, the most improved and the nation with the best behaved spectators.