Welcome to Dev's Digest, a recurring Sky Sports column where Asian Football Award winner Dev Trehan shares breaking news and thoughtful commentary on the most significant developments affecting British South Asians in the beautiful game. Recent reporting from Sky Sports News suggests that Indian football authorities are growing increasingly optimistic that players of Indian descent who have grown up and trained in the United Kingdom will soon be permitted to don the national jersey.
Under the current FIFA eligibility framework, a player who holds a foreign passport must relinquish that passport in order to represent India, a rule that has effectively barred many British‑Indian talents from earning an international cap and from contributing to India's ambition to climb back into the top‑100 of the FIFA rankings. According to a senior official who spoke on condition of anonymity, the federation is "convinced" that the regulatory hurdles will be removed, paving the way for eligible overseas‑based footballers to join the Blue Tigers. In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News, former Mumbai City FC chief operating officer Arunava Chaudhuri said, "We are closer than ever to seeing Overseas Citizens of India representing the Blue Tigers.
Diaspora footballers from Europe can take the Indian team to another level." Chaudhuri added that the conversation now extends beyond football, pointing to India’s upcoming role as host of the Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad and the nation’s bid to secure the 2036 Olympic Games. Such sporting ambitions, he argued, could be bolstered by a stronger, more diverse football squad.
Sky Sports News has been tracking the aspirations of British‑born players of Indian heritage for more than ten years. In 2014, former Newcastle United striker Michael Chopra publicly announced his willingness to play for India, even mentioning that cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar had offered to help facilitate the switch. Three years later, Danny Batth—then a new signing for Millwall whose father was born in Punjab—expressed a similar desire to represent the country of his ancestry during a conversation with senior correspondent Rob Dorsett.
The discussion of diaspora representation is not limited to the national team. West Ham United’s interim chief executive Karim Virani, while focused on the club’s immediate goal of returning to the Premier League, also highlighted the broader social responsibilities of football organisations. Speaking at a West Ham United and Inclusive Irons event hosted by Desi Ballers to mark South Asian Heritage Month, Virani said, "Our aim is to champion equality and inclusion across every match—men's, women's and academy—so that everyone feels welcome." The event, which also featured club ambassadors Matt Jarvis and Bobby Seagull, showcased the 2025/26 British South Asians in Football Team of the Season, underscoring the growing visibility of South Asian talent at all levels of the game.
In parallel football business news, a consortium led by British‑Indian entrepreneur Amit Bhatia is reportedly on the brink of acquiring roughly one‑third of Liverpool FC. The investment group includes high‑profile figures such as Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Facebook co‑founder Eduardo Saverin.
If the deal proceeds, it would value Liverpool at about £4.4 billion ($6 billion), positioning it among the most valuable football transactions ever recorded. Turning back to the pitch, the English Football League (EFL) resumed on Friday, providing a timely moment to revisit one of the author’s favourite Championship memories from eight years ago.
Yan Dhanda’s debut for Swansea City against Sheffield United remains a textbook example of a dream start. The match was tied 1‑1 late in Graham Potter’s inaugural game as Swansea manager when Dhanda, then 19, was summoned from the bench. He recalled the night before, "I was texting my cousin, imagining what it would feel like to score on my debut.
I kept waking up with that image." When the ball fell to him in a prime position, Dhanda struck and the net rippled. He described the scene: "My dad and cousin were in the stands behind the goal. It was honestly the best feeling ever." Other notable player movements featured in Dev’s Digest include Fulham youngster Farhaan Ali Wahid joining National League side Boreham Wood on loan after a prolific season in the Premier League 2, where he recorded 17 goal contributions in 21 appearances and earned a nomination for PL2 Player of the Season.
Additionally, Riya Mannu transferred to West Bromwich Albion Women, while Pakistan international Zahmena Malik signed for Actonians. Both transfers were confirmed exclusively by Sky Sports News. In the medical sphere, Dr Zaf Iqbal and Pakistan international Mariam Mahmood have been shortlisted for Sports Personality of the Year at the Asian Achievers Awards.
Dr Iqbal, who departed Arsenal after playing a key role in ending their 22‑year Premier League title drought and guiding the club to its first Champions League final in two decades, is widely respected for his work at Liverpool, Tottenham and Crystal Palace, as well as his leadership positions with the Premier League Doctors Group and the FA Medical Society. Dr Iqbal also featured in a landmark moment during the 2020/21 season when Sky Sports News reported that Leicester City’s Monday Night Football fixture against Crystal Palace was temporarily halted to allow Muslim players to break their Ramadan fast—a first in Premier League history.
By 2023, the practice had become standard, with match officials instructed to incorporate natural pauses for fasting players during evening games. Mariam Mahmood, meanwhile, has enjoyed a breakout year. After debuting for Pakistan last summer and netting three goals in her first four caps, she joined Wrexham, helping the club secure a league‑cup double and qualify for European competition for the first time in its history.
Finally, the 2026 Asian Football Awards are approaching, with nominations closing next week. The public can submit entries across categories ranging from professional and non‑league football to grassroots initiatives and coaching excellence via the Asian Football Awards website. For more stories, features and video content, visit the pioneering South Asians in Football hub on skysports.com, or get in touch with the editorial team to share your perspective.
And don’t forget to try the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £250,000—entry is free.