Fulham have been boosted by news that they could land an unexpected place in next season’s Europa League.

As it stands, the Cottagers are second in the Fair Play table behind west London rivals Chelsea, who seem set to qualify for the Champions League.

The highest placed team in the Fair Play table who do not qualify for Europe by their league position or winning a domestic cup are nominated by the FA to UEFA.

The latest figures published by UEFA showed England second behind Norway in their Respect Fair Play ratings, thereby gaining an extra place in the 2011/12 Europa League.

Fulham reached the final of the Europa League in 2009/10, losing to Atletico Madrid after finishing seventh in the Barclays Premier League the previous season.

The Fair Play table is based on yellow and red cards, positive play, respect towards opponents, respect towards the referee and the behaviour of officials. The Premier League’s current ‘worst behaved’ teams are Sunderland and Newcastle.