| Guardian, Tuesday May 13 2008
City set to claim Uefa Cup fair play place
Dunne's red card will not have impact on English table
Manchester City are expected to go forward as England's fair-play representatives in next season's Uefa Cup despite Richard Dunne's sending-off at Middlesbrough throwing up the possibility that they might have ruined their chances. City were fifth in the table for good behaviour and if they finish in that position they will squeeze into the Uefa Cup because the clubs above them - Tottenham, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool - have already qualified for Europe.
Fulham were seventh when the last standings were calculated - behind Everton, who have also qualified - with two games to play, and are monitoring the situation. However, it is not thought that Dunne's indiscretion will have a significant impact on the final table, meaning City can expect to be involved in the Uefa Cup's qualifying-round draw on June 30.
By then their owner, Thaksin Shinawatra, will hope to have persuaded Luis Felipe Scolari, currently the Portugal coach, to take over in place of Sven-Goran Eriksson, who is resigned to being sacked 10 months into a three-year contract. The Swede will be on the flight to Thailand today when the squad leave for a promotional trip as he does not want to jeopardise his £1m pay-off. | 
