Football: Wednesday Europe hope

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY may be 11th in the Premiership but the good behaviour of their players and fans may enable them to win a place in Europe next season, writes Glenn Moore.

In previous years an extra European place has gone to representatives of the top three nations in Uefa's Fair Play League, the means by which Aston Villa entered this season's Uefa Cup. Next season it will be decided through domestic Fair Play Leagues, with the highest-placed team not otherwise qualified for Europe being chosen. Manchester United lead the table, followed by Liverpool, Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday and Leicester City.

The Premier League refuses to release the full table but revealed it is judged on and yellow cards, "positive play", "respect towards opponents and officials" and "supporter behaviour".

England are second in Uefa's Fair Play ratings but, due to a change in the selection process, not sure of a place, so there may be only six English clubs in Europe next season - three in the Champions' League and three (the FA Cup winners and fourth and fifth-placed Premiership teams) in the expanded Uefa Cup.