MANAGER Eddie Howe said he would “not lose any sleep” after a possible route to Europe was blocked for Cherries.
Howe was responding to the news that UEFA had scrapped a place in the first qualifying round of the Europa League for clubs topping the Fair Play League across Europe’s leading associations.
Instead, prize money will be awarded to winning associations which must be spent on fair play or respect-themed projects in their respective countries.
Cherries have one of the best disciplinary records in the top flight this season, although the Fair Play League takes into account a host of other factors.
Criteria such as positive play, respect for the opposition and referees, conduct of the crowd and team officials, as well as bookings and dismissals, are all taken into consideration by UEFA match delegates when they make their assessments.
The finalised Fair Play table is due to be published around mid-July, but this season’s best-behaved Premier League club will not automatically be granted European football for the first time since 1995.
Meanwhile, Cherries have been linked with a move for Reading midfielder Oliver Norwood.
The 25-year-old former Manchester United trainee has been one of the Royals' leading lights this season, netting three goals and providing eight assists.
Northern Ireland international Norwood is expected to be involved at this summer's European Championships.
He joined Reading from Huddersfield in August 2014 and has made 90 appearances for the club.
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