Welcome to Dev's Digest, a regular Sky Sports column where Asian Football Award winner Dev Trehan shares exclusive scoops and thoughtful commentary on the most significant stories affecting British South Asians in the beautiful game. In a development that could reshape the composition of the Indian national side, senior officials within the All India Football Federation (AIFF) are growing increasingly optimistic that players of Indian descent who grew up and trained in the United Kingdom will soon be eligible to wear the blue jersey. Sky Sports News obtained exclusive confirmation that the long‑standing eligibility rule—requiring any overseas‑born player of Indian heritage to renounce his or her foreign passport before representing India—may be relaxed or even abolished. Under the current regulations, an Indian‑heritage footballer who holds a British passport cannot be called up unless he gives up that passport, a decision that effectively bars many talented British‑Indians from earning international caps.
This restriction has not only limited personal ambition for those players but also denied India a potentially valuable pool of talent that could help the nation climb back into the top‑100 of the FIFA rankings. A senior AIFF representative, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Sky Sports News that he is "convinced" the pathway will soon be cleared for eligible overseas‑born footballers to join the Blue Tigers. The official added that the federation is actively reviewing the citizenship‑based eligibility criteria in line with FIFA’s broader stance on dual‑nationality players. Reacting exclusively to Sky Sports News, former Mumbai City FC chief operating officer Arunava Chaudhuri said, "We are closer than we've 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 implications of this policy shift could extend beyond football. "We are now talking about something that potentially extends beyond football, with the next Commonwealth Games coming to Ahmedabad, and their bid for the 2036 Olympic Games," he noted, suggesting that a stronger, more diverse football squad could bolster India's overall sporting profile on the world stage. Sky Sports News has been tracking the aspirations of British‑Indian footballers for more than a decade.
In 2014, former Newcastle United striker Michael Chopra publicly declared his willingness to play for India and even mentioned that cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar had offered his support in navigating the bureaucratic hurdles. Three years later, in 2017, Danny Batth—then a newly‑signed Millwall defender whose father was born in Punjab—spoke to Sky Sports News senior correspondent Rob Dorsett about his desire to represent India, highlighting the personal significance of heritage and identity in his career decisions. While the conversation around player eligibility has intensified, other stories have emerged from the English game that illustrate the broader context of inclusion and representation. West Ham United interim chief executive Karim Virani, speaking at an Inclusive Irons event hosted by Desi Ballers to close South Asian Heritage Month, emphasized the club’s commitment to equality both on and off the pitch.
"Our primary objective this year is to get out of the Championship and back to the Premier League, but we must never forget the responsibility we have as a football club to drive positive action and impact beyond the stadium," Virani said. He praised West Ham’s community programmes and highlighted the involvement of club ambassadors such as Matt Jarvis and Bobby Seagull in promoting a welcoming environment for players and fans of all backgrounds.
In parallel with the diaspora‑eligibility debate, Sky News reported that a consortium led by British‑Indian entrepreneur Amit Bhatia is on the verge of acquiring roughly one‑third of Liverpool FC. The investor group, which includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Facebook co‑founder Eduardo Saverin, would value the club at about £4.4 billion ($6 billion), positioning the transaction among the most expensive in football history.
Although Liverpool and the Fenway Sports Group have not yet commented, the potential deal underscores the growing financial influence of British‑Asian investors in the sport. Turning back to the Championship, Dev reflects on one of his favourite moments from eight years ago: Yan Dhanda’s debut for Swansea City against Sheffield United.
The 19‑year‑old, born in Manchester to Indian parents, entered the match late on the bench and scored a spectacular goal that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Dhanda recalled his pre‑match nerves, texting his cousin about the dream of scoring on debut, and the surreal feeling of hearing his father and cousin cheer from the stands as the ball hit the net. The episode remains a vivid illustration of how British‑Asian talent can flourish when given a platform.
Recent transfer news also featured several South Asian players making strides in English football. Fulham academy prospect Farhaan Ali Wahid joined National League side Boreham Wood on loan, aiming to gain senior experience 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. Meanwhile, midfielder Riya Mannu completed a move to West Bromwich Albion Women, and Pakistan international Zahmena Malik signed for Actonians, both transfers disclosed exclusively by Sky Sports News. Off the pitch, Dr Zaf Iqbal and Pakistani international Mariam Mahmood have been shortlisted for the Sports Personality of the Year award at the Asian Achievers Awards.
Dr Iqbal, a highly respected sports physician who contributed to Arsenal’s historic 2020 Premier League title and their first Champions League final in two decades, has previously served as chair of the Premier League Doctors Group and co‑chair of the FA Medical Society. His expertise was pivotal during a landmark moment in the 2020/21 season when Sky Sports News revealed that a Monday Night Football match between Leicester City and Crystal Palace was briefly paused to allow Muslim players to break their Ramadan fast—a first for the Premier League that has since become standard practice across the leagues. Mariam Mahmood’s own story has been a breakthrough 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 and cup double and qualify for European competition for the first time in its history. Finally, nominations for the 2026 Asian Football Awards close next week. Fans and industry insiders can submit nominations across a variety of categories—including professional, non‑league, grassroots, and coaching—via the official 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 Dev’s Digest to share your own perspectives.
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