BURNLEY are in early contention for a place in next season’s Europa League – although the six yellow cards handed out by referee Mark Clattenburg on Saturday could hit their chances.

The Clarets are the early leaders of the Premier League’s fair play table for the 2014/15 season, with the winners gaining possible entry into Europe next season.

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The top three countries in UEFA’s overall fair play league will all receive a spot in the first qualifying round of next term’s Europa League.

England finished fifth in the rankings last season, with the places going to Norway, Sweden and Finland. No UEFA rankings have yet been announced for the early stages of 2014/15.

Burnley lead the Premier League fair play table ahead of Leicester City, Everton, Liverpool and West Ham United, although the rankings published so far are only for the first nine games of the season.

The Clarets controversially picked up six bookings in Saturday’s home win over Hull, which is also expected to earn them a fine under FA rules.

The Premier League fair play table is calculated on a number of factors include cards received, positive play, respect towards opponents and the referee, behaviour of team officials and behaviour of fans – including ‘covert recognition of outstanding play by the opponents’.

Burnley have scored highly in all areas so far, particularly in behaviour of officials and fans as well as respect towards opponents.