BURNLEY remain on course to qualify for the Europa League via the Fair Play League this season.

The Clarets lead the latest Premier League fair play table published this month, which takes into account the first 19 games of the top flight campaign.

West Ham United are in second place ahead of Liverpool, Everton and Manchester City.

Top spot in the Premier League fair play table will only bring a Europa League spot next season if England are in the top three of the UEFA rankings at the end of the season, but it was announced this week that they currently sit third at the halfway point of the campaign.

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Ireland lead the rankings with the Netherlands in second place for the period of May 1 to December 31.

Finland, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Norway and Iceland are not far behind and there was a similar scenario five years ago when Burnley looked in contention for a European spot, only for England to drop down the UEFA fair play rankings in the second half of the season.

But as things stand they would take one of the three Europa League spots handed out by UEFA, giving clubs entry to the first qualifying round in early July.

The Premier League fair play table is based on red and yellow cards received, positive play, respect towards opponents and the referee, and behaviour of team officials.

Burnley score highly in each category. The Clarets were winners of the FA's Respect Fair Play award for the Championship last season.