Welcome to Dev's Digest, the regular Sky Sports column where Asian Football Award laureate Dev Trehan shares exclusive scoops and thoughtful commentary on the most important stories affecting British South Asians in the beautiful game. In this edition we explore two seemingly unrelated but equally intriguing developments: the growing optimism among Indian football officials that UK‑based players of Indian descent may soon be eligible to wear the national jersey, and the latest moves by British Indian businessman Amit Bhatia to secure a sizeable share in Liverpool FC.
**Diaspora Talent and the Indian National Team** For many years the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been hamstrung by a rule that forces any player holding a foreign passport to renounce it before they can be called up for the senior side. The regulation was intended to protect the integrity of the national team, but in practice it has kept a large pool of talented, British‑born footballers with Indian heritage out of the picture.
Those players have often been forced to choose between a promising club career in England and the dream of representing the country of their ancestors. Recent conversations behind closed doors suggest that the AIFF is ready to rewrite that policy. A senior AIFF official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Sky Sports News that he is "convinced" the federation will soon clear a pathway for eligible overseas Indians to join the Blue Tigers.
The official explained that the board has been reviewing FIFA’s eligibility guidelines and is preparing a proposal that would allow dual‑nationality players to keep their foreign passports while still being eligible for India, provided they meet the standard residency or ancestry criteria. If the proposal is approved, the impact could be profound. The Indian national team, which has hovered just outside the top‑100 in the FIFA rankings for several years, would gain access to a new talent pipeline that includes Premier League academies, Championship clubs and the extensive youth systems of the English game. Players such as the former Newcastle striker Michael Chopra, who publicly expressed his desire to play for India back in 2014, and Millwall centre‑back Danny Batth, whose father hails from Punjab, could finally realise that ambition.
Their experience in highly competitive leagues would raise the technical level of the squad, improve tactical awareness, and provide much‑needed leadership for home‑grown players. Arunava Chaudhuri, the former chief operating officer of Mumbai City FC, echoed this optimism in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News.
He said, "We are closer than we have ever been to seeing Overseas Citizens of India representing the Blue Tigers. Diaspora footballers from Europe can take the Indian team to another level." Chaudhuri also hinted that the move could have ramifications beyond football, noting that India’s upcoming bid to host the Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad and its long‑term aspiration to stage the 2036 Olympic Games would benefit from a stronger sporting profile. The conversation about diaspora eligibility is not new. Sky Sports News has been tracking the issue for more than a decade, documenting the hopes of players like Chopra and Batth, as well as the occasional public statements from Indian officials.
The shift now appears to be driven by a combination of strategic ambition – India wants to climb the FIFA ladder – and a recognition that the global South Asian community can contribute to that goal without sacrificing their professional careers abroad. **Amit Bhatia’s Pursuit of a Liverpool Stake** While the AIFF debates eligibility rules, another story is unfolding in the world of club ownership.
A consortium headed by British‑Indian entrepreneur Amit Bhatia is reportedly on the brink of securing roughly one‑third of Liverpool FC. The group, which includes high‑profile investors such as Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Facebook co‑founder Eduardo Saverin, is poised to inject fresh capital into a club whose market valuation is estimated at £4.4 billion (about $6 billion).
If the deal closes, it would rank among the most expensive football‑ownership transactions ever recorded. Bhatia, who has built a reputation as a savvy investor in technology and media, sees Liverpool as a platform to blend sport, business, and community impact.
The consortium’s involvement could bring additional resources for player recruitment, infrastructure upgrades, and global brand expansion. Moreover, Bhatia’s Indian heritage adds a layer of cultural significance; a high‑profile Indian investor taking a major stake in one of England’s most storied clubs could inspire further cross‑border collaborations and open doors for South Asian talent in European football. **West Ham United’s Inclusive Vision** In parallel with these macro‑level developments, clubs at the domestic level are championing inclusion in more tangible ways.
West Ham United’s interim chief executive Karim Virani recently addressed an audience at the Inclusive Irons event, organised in partnership with Desi Ballers, to mark South Asian Heritage Month. Virani stressed that while the club’s primary objective for the season is to secure promotion back to the Premier League, it also bears a responsibility to promote equality and foster an inclusive environment across all its teams – men’s, women’s and academy.
Virani’s remarks highlighted the club’s broader community work, which includes outreach programmes aimed at encouraging participation from under‑represented groups. Ambassadors such as former England international Matt Jarvis and mathematician‑turned‑presenter Bobby Seagull were present, underscoring the club’s commitment to diversity beyond the pitch. **Player Spotlights and Emerging Talent** The column also revisits some memorable moments from the Championship and the lower leagues.
Yan Dhanda’s debut for Swansea against Sheffield United in 2018 remains a textbook example of a dream debut. The 19‑year‑old, who grew up in a British‑Indian family, described the experience as “the best feeling” after scoring a late goal that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
His story illustrates the growing presence of South Asian players in English professional football, even if they have yet to break into the senior national team. Another rising star, Fulham academy graduate Farhaan Ali Wahid, has joined National League side Boreham Wood on loan to gain senior experience.
After contributing 17 goals and assists in 21 under‑23 appearances for Fulham, Wahid’s move represents a strategic step to bridge the gap between youth football and the adult game. Similarly, Riya Mannu’s transfer to West Bromwich Albion Women and Pakistan international Zahmena Malik’s signing with Actonians highlight the increasing mobility of South Asian women footballers across the UK’s football pyramid.
**Medical Pioneers and Cultural Milestones** The column also celebrates off‑field contributions. Dr Zaf Iqbal, a distinguished sports physician who recently left Arsenal after helping the club end a 22‑year Premier League title drought, has been shortlisted for Sports Personality of the Year at the Asian Achievers Awards. His career spans stints at Liverpool, Tottenham and Crystal Palace, and he has held leadership positions within the Premier League Doctors Group and the FA Medical Society.
Dr Iqbal’s work was instrumental in the historic decision during the 2020/21 season to pause Leicester City’s Monday Night Football match against Crystal Palace to allow players observing Ramadan to break their fast – a precedent that has since become standard practice across the leagues. Pakistan international forward Mariam Mahmood, another nominee for the Asian Achievers Awards, has enjoyed a breakout year.
After debuting for Pakistan last summer and scoring three goals in her first four caps, she joined Wrexham, where she helped the club achieve a league‑cup double and qualify for European competition for the first time in its history. **Looking Ahead** As the EFL season kicks off this Friday, the football world will continue to watch how these narratives evolve. The AIFF’s potential policy shift could reshape the composition of the Indian national team, while Amit Bhatia’s looming Liverpool investment may signal a new era of South Asian influence at the highest levels of club football. Meanwhile, clubs like West Ham are proving that inclusion can be woven into the fabric of everyday operations, and emerging players from the diaspora are carving out pathways that future generations can follow.
For more in‑depth stories, features and video content, visit the dedicated South Asians in Football hub on Sky Sports, and feel free to share your thoughts with us. The Asian Football Awards nominations for 2026 close next week, so consider nominating individuals who have made a difference across professional, non‑league, grassroots and coaching categories.
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