Welcome to Dev's Digest, Sky Sports' recurring column where Asian Football Award laureate Dev Trehan shares exclusive updates and personal insights on the most significant stories affecting British South Asians in the beautiful game. In a recent exclusive, Sky Sports News reports that the administrators of Indian football 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. At present, the eligibility rules stipulate that any footballer of Indian heritage who holds a foreign passport must renounce that passport before they can be called up to the senior side.
This restriction has long acted as a barrier, preventing talented British‑Indian athletes from gaining international caps and from contributing to India’s ambition of re‑entering the top‑hundred nations in the FIFA world rankings. According to a senior official speaking on condition of anonymity, the federation is "convinced" that the regulatory framework will be adjusted to open the door for qualified overseas players. Former Mumbai City FC chief operating officer Arunava Chaudhuri echoed this sentiment in an exclusive interview, stating: "We are closer than ever to seeing Overseas Citizens of India representing the Blue Tigers. The infusion of diaspora talent from Europe could elevate the Indian side to a new competitive tier." He added that the conversation now extends beyond football, referencing upcoming sporting milestones such as the Commonwealth Games slated for Ahmedabad and India's bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games.
Sky Sports News has been tracking the aspirations of British‑born footballers of Indian origin for more than ten years. In 2014, former Newcastle United striker Michael Chopra publicly declared his willingness to represent India, noting 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 – told senior Sky correspondent Rob Dorsett that he too harboured a strong desire to wear the Indian colours. The discussion of inclusion is not limited to the national team.
West Ham United’s interim chief executive Karim Virani recently spoke at a West Ham United and Inclusive Irons event organized with Desi Ballers to mark South Asian Heritage Month. Virani stressed that while the club’s immediate priority is to secure promotion back to the Premier League after a relegation‑marred season, it also bears a broader social responsibility. "We must champion equality, celebrate inclusion and ensure that every match – whether men’s, women’s or academy – feels welcoming to all supporters and participants," he said. The gathering also highlighted West Ham’s community outreach programmes and featured the 2025/26 British South Asians in Football Team of the Season.
In parallel news, a consortium led by British‑Indian entrepreneur Amit Bhatia is reportedly on the brink of acquiring roughly a one‑third stake in Liverpool FC. The investment group includes high‑profile tech magnates 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 (approximately $6 billion), positioning it among the most valuable transactions in football history. Both Liverpool and the Fenway Sports Group have been approached for comment. Turning back to the Championship, the league’s opening weekend eight years ago produced a memorable debut for Yan Dhanda.
The 19‑year‑old’s first senior appearance for Swansea City came against Sheffield United on a bright afternoon at Bramall Lane. With the score level at 1‑1, Dhanda was summoned from the bench late in the game. He recalled the night before, when he had been texting his cousin about the fantasy of scoring on his debut, and how he could barely sleep. When the ball fell to him in a favourable position, he struck it confidently and found the net, sparking wild celebrations from his family in the stands.
Dhanda described the moment as "the best feeling" of his young career. Elsewhere in the lower leagues, Fulham academy prospect Farhaan Ali Wahid has secured a loan move to National League side Boreham Wood, offering him his first taste of senior football after a standout season in Premier League 2 where he contributed 17 goals and assists in 21 games, earning a nomination for PL2 Player of the Season. In the women’s game, Riya Mannu has completed a transfer to West Bromwich Albion Women, while Pakistan international Zahmena Malik has signed for Actonians, both moves confirmed exclusively by Sky Sports News. The Asian football community also celebrated medical excellence this year.
Dr Zaf Iqbal and Pakistan international Mariam Mahmood were shortlisted for the Sports Personality of the Year award at the Asian Achievers Awards. Dr Iqbal, who departed Arsenal after helping the Gunners break a 22‑year Premier League title drought and reach a Champions League final after two decades, is widely respected for his work with top clubs including Liverpool, Tottenham and Crystal Palace, and for his leadership roles as chair of the Premier League Doctors Group and co‑chair of the FA Medical Society.
His contributions were highlighted during a historic moment in the 2020/21 season when Leicester City’s Monday Night Football match against Crystal Palace was paused to allow Muslim players to break their Ramadan fast – a first for the Premier League that has since become a standard practice across English football. Mariam Mahmood, meanwhile, has enjoyed a breakthrough 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. Finally, the 2026 Asian Football Awards are now open for nominations, with categories covering the professional game, non‑league football, grassroots initiatives and coaching.
Fans and stakeholders can submit their suggestions via the awards website. For more in‑depth stories, features and video content, visit the South Asians in Football hub on SkySports.com and feel free to get in touch with the Dev's Digest team to share your own perspectives. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £250,000 – entry is free.