text: Stoke boss Mark Hughes has claimed Tom Jones is costing them a spot in the Europe League via the Fair Play League. The Potters' faithful have been singing Jones' song 'Delilah' as their unofficial club anthem since the the 1980s, though it has been criticised with claims the original lyrics promote domestic violence. And Hughes, whose Stoke side occupy 17th place in the Premier League Fair Play standings, believes his side are being harshly marked down because of the 1960s song. Mark Hughes believes Tom Jones' song 'Delilah' is costing them a spot in the Europe League . Stoke are 17th in the Premier League Fair Play table and are set to miss out on European football next year . Stoke City supporter Anton Booth, known as TJ among fellow fans, claims to have introduced Delilah after he started to sing it in a pub in the late 1980s. The hit has become Stoke's unofficial club anthem and is a regular chant at the Britannia Stadium. 'Apparently we get knocked down because the fans have a Tom Jones song,' he said. 'If the crowd are a little bit intimidating we lose marks due to the behaviour of supporters. It's unbelievable. 'But it's not just the song, it's when it gets a bit heated here, plus it's four of five criteria and small margins, it's officials, players, crowd. 'If nothing happens you get six points. But if someone sings Delilah, you get four. Over the course of the year, if you're consistently marked down, you're going to be at the bottom end of the table. 'I don't think there's a problem with them singing it. It's crazy from my point of view.' Sam Allardyce's West Ham are top of the Premier League Fair Play table and could earn a Europa League place if they finish top of the pile and England’s top flight is within the top three ‘fair-playing’ leagues in Europe – which it was on the last count. Hughes' (left) Stoke side have been singing Jones' hit since the 1980s as their unofficial club anthem . Each match is assessed by a Premier League delegate and teams are marked in five categories, with a further category relating to the behaviour of the public. This is how the points are calculated: . 1. Red and yellow cards (Maximum score = 10 - No minimum score) Teams are deducted points if a player receives a yellow card (-1 point) or straight red (-3 points). This is the only section where teams can receive a score below zero. 2. Positive play (Maximum score = 10 - Minimum score = 1) Premier League teams are encouraged to play a positive style of football. This section takes into consideration things like time-wasting tactics and positive play. 3. Respect towards opponents (Maximum score = 7 - Minimum score = 1) This section is designed to encourage players to abide by the spirit of Fair Play and it also includes offences which may have been accidentally overlooked by the officials. 4. Respect towards the referee (Maximum score = 7 - Minimum score = 1) The Premier League takes respect towards officials very seriously and players are expected to respect referees- including assistants - at all times. Positive attitude is rewarded with high marks. 5. Behaviour of the team officials (Maximum score = 6 - Minimum score = 1) Team officials, including managers, are assessed on their behaviour during a match. One aspect they are marked on is how they accept the decisions of the referee. 6. Behaviour of the public (Maximum score = 10 - Minimum score = 0) The section which has angered Hughes, teams begin with a score of five points but can lose marks for persistent abuse of officials, aggressive conduct towards rival fans and foul and abusive language. But Hughes has criticised the competition, which is designed to promote positive behaviour, and has questioned its merit. 'The Fair Play table is a waste of time,' he added. 'I was always historically at the bottom when I was Blackburn, but then I went to Fulham and we qualified. Despite a successful season in the Premier League this year, Hughes isn't happy with the Fair Play table . 'It's the perception of the club here that sometimes goes before us. 'We also have a high amount of yellow cards. 'Whether Fair Play merits a European place is open to discussion. But it's a good prize. 'We're not going to win it any time soon though are we?'
target: Tom Jones' song 'Delilah' is sung by Stoke fans as unofficial club anthem .
  Mark Hughes believes the hit is costing them a spot in Europe League .
  Team top of Premier League Fair Play table could play in Europe next year .
  West Ham are currently leading the table, while Stoke occupy 17th place .
  Hughes has slammed the competition ahead of clash with Southampton .