Welcome to Dev's Digest, the influential Sky Sports column where Dev Trehan shares exclusive scoops and offers thoughtful commentary on the most significant stories affecting British South Asians in football. In this edition we cover a range of topics, from a charitable auction of a historic FA Cup shirt to the solidarity shown by South Asian players after a distressing incident involving Dundee United midfielder Zidane Iqbal. First, a noteworthy piece of memorabilia is about to change hands for a good cause. Hamza Choudhury’s shirt from Leicester City’s dramatic 2021 FA Cup final triumph over Chelsea will be placed under the hammer later this month.
Sky Sports News has obtained the exclusive details. The jersey, encased in a protective frame, will be auctioned at a fundraiser organized by Nujum Sports, the Muslim athlete representation body, in support of the Children Not Numbers charity.
The event is aimed at raising funds for children suffering as a result of the conflict in Gaza. Choudhury, who concluded a 21‑year spell with Leicester by moving to Sheffield United in the summer, is scheduled to appear as a speaker at the London fundraiser on 25 October.
His presence underscores the personal commitment many British‑Asian footballers feel toward humanitarian causes, especially those affecting communities they identify with. The column also highlights the growing impact of South Asian talent on the international stage. At the recent ASEAN Cup, Fulham prospect Farhaan Ali Wahid followed in Choudhury’s footsteps by earning his first cap for Bangladesh, becoming only the second Premier League‑affiliated player ever to represent the South Asian nation. Currently on loan at National League leaders Boreham Wood, Wahid made an immediate impression: after coming off the bench, he found the net in his second appearance for Bangladesh during a 2‑1 defeat to Indonesia.
Further afield, Oxford City winger Dillon De Silva has been making headlines for Sri Lanka. He scored in a 3‑0 win over Seychelles and repeated the feat in a subsequent 2‑0 victory during the two‑leg international series held on Mahe Island. De Silva’s contributions illustrate the expanding footprint of British‑Asian players across a variety of national squads.
A separate, more somber story concerns Dundee United midfielder Zidane Iqbal, who was subjected to verbal and online abuse after representing Iraq on international duty. Iqbal, born in Manchester to a British‑Pakistani family, spoke openly about the harassment, describing how his heritage was weaponized against him. The incident sparked an outpouring of support from fellow South Asian footballers.
Mal Benning and Kam Kandola, both recognised at the Asian Football Awards, publicly stood with Iqdal. Benning, a four‑time member of the South Asians in Football Team of the Season, expressed his disappointment, stating, "It is heartbreaking to see a player of Zidane’s calibre and character targeted simply because of his background. He is a role model for aspiring South Asian footballers, having already featured at the World Cup. I hope this is an isolated episode and does not deter others from pursuing the professional game." He added that the community must rally around Iqbal, offering encouragement and solidarity.
Kam Kandola, who earned the Non‑League Player award, echoed the sentiment: "We stand with Zidane. It takes courage to speak out, and his handling of the situation has been commendable.
He should be proud of his heritage, and we are proud of him for defending it." The Asian Football Awards also celebrated other achievements. Wrexham forward Mariam Mahmood was honoured as Women’s Player of the Year, while her teammate, Lewes midfielder Layla Banaras, collected the Women’s Young Player accolade. Their successes highlight the increasing visibility of women of South Asian descent in the sport. Among the men’s categories, Brandon Khela, the Men’s Young Player winner, discussed the potential appointment of former Wales international Robbie Savage as Peterborough United manager.
Khela, a former England youth international, said he would relish the chance to learn from Savage, noting, "He has played at the highest level and his experience could be invaluable for a young player like me. Whatever the new manager, I’m excited for the future and eager to improve my game." Khela also paid tribute to former Peterborough boss Luke Williams, acknowledging the lessons he learned during their brief partnership and expressing hope that their professional paths might cross again.
The column concludes with a profile of Dilan Markanday, a trailblazing figure who became the first British‑South Asian to appear for Tottenham Hotspur in the club’s 140‑year history. Earlier this month Markanday scored a dramatic late winner for Chesterfield against York City, describing the moment as reminiscent of his youthful days at Spurs.
He recounted, "When the ball arrived on the halfway line, the instinct was to drive forward. I ignored the advice to simply hold the ball and instead took on a defender, then another, before slotting it home. It felt like a kid back at Tottenham, fearless and pure enjoyment. I want to keep playing with that childlike freedom, scoring different types of goals without fear or pressure." For more in‑depth stories, features, and video content, visit the pioneering South Asians in Football hub on skysports.com and reach out to share your perspective.