The Football Association (FA) have been awarded an extra place in the first qualifying round of next season's UEFA Cup after finishing first in UEFA's Fair Play competition, European football's governing body announced on Friday.
Manchester City are in pole position to claim the English spot after the FA confirmed the berth will be awarded to the highest-ranked side in the Premier League fair play table that has not qualified for Europe by other means.
City currently stand fifth in the fair play table, behind Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool – who are all already guaranteed a place in continental competition.
Seven other national associations – Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Spain and France – will go into a draw at the City of Manchester Stadium on May 13 for a further two places in next year's European second-tier competition.
The Fair Play competition is based on the Fair Play assessments made by official UEFA delegates at all UEFA competition matches during the 2007-2008 season.
It is based on criteria such as positive play, respect of the opponent, respect of the referee, behaviour of the crowd and of team officials, as well as cautions and dismissals.
