Posted 15 January 2015
UCD in line for Europa League qualifying place
UCD could be in line for a place in the Europa League next season after it was announced that the Republic of Ireland currently tops the UEFA Respect Fair Play League Table with The Netherlands second place and England in third.
If Ireland is in the top three in the table on April 30, and has a ranking above 8.0 points, then it will be among the three countries receiving an extra place in the Europa League. UCD will be the club to benefit even though they finished third in the SSE Airtricity League's 2014 Fair Play table. Dundalk, who finished first, have already qualified for the Champions League and Cork City, who were second, are guaranteed a Europa League spot so the extra place moves to the third place team.
Pictured far right: Pat Devlin, Director of Football and Collie O'Neill, First Team Manager, UCD AFC
UCD were relegated from the Premier Division at the end of 2014 season but UEFA regulations allow for a side relegated to the second highest division to qualify for the UEFA Europa League, as a result of exemplary fair play conduct during the domestic championship. Only clubs which have received a UEFA licence will be able to participate in the Europa League.
As usual, the UEFA Fair Play rankings for the current season will be based on the fair play results of all UEFA competition matches, both at club level and national team level, between May 01, 2014 and April 30, 2015. Those fair play assessments are conducted by official UEFA delegates and are based on criteria such as positive play, respect for opponents, respect for the referee, the behaviour of the crowd and team officials, as well as cautions and dismissals.
(Produced by UCD University Relations)
