Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

West Ham are in line to grab a place in Europe – thanks to the Fair Play League, writes Chris Davies in the Sunday People.

The Hammers top the Premier League table which awards points for discipline, positive play, respect towards opponents and the referee, plus behaviour of team officials and spectators.

UEFA give three places in the Europa League for the countries with the best Fair Play record and England, the Republic of Ireland and Holland are currently leading the way.

The downside is that West Ham would have to play their first qualifying round tie on July 2.

This would mean the players having a close season of just one month – the minimum allowed – before returning to training 11 days before the first tie.

Liverpool are currently second in the table, while struggling Burnley are not far behind in third.

In the 20-112012, Fulham competed in the Europa League after being awarded a place through winning the Fair Play League.

They played their first match on June 30, against NSI Runavik from the Faroe Islands.