Welcome to Dev's Digest, the influential Sky Sports column where Dev Trehan shares exclusive scoops and thoughtful commentary on the most significant stories affecting British South Asians in football. In this edition we cover a charity auction involving a historic FA Cup shirt, the latest achievements of South Asian players on the international stage, and the strong solidarity shown by fellow footballers after midfielder Zidane Iqbal faced abuse. First, a piece of Leicester City memorabilia is about to make a charitable splash. Hamza Choudhury’s shirt from the club’s dramatic 2021 FA Cup final triumph over Chelsea will be put up for auction later this month, a detail revealed exclusively by Sky Sports News.
The shirt, carefully framed, will be sold at a fundraising event organized by Nujum Sports, the Muslim athlete representation body, to benefit the Children Not Numbers charity. The charity focuses on providing aid to children caught in the Gaza conflict, and the auction proceeds will go directly to that cause. Choudhury, who recently ended a 21‑year spell with Leicester to sign for Sheffield United, has been invited to speak at the London fundraiser on 25 October.
His presence underscores the personal commitment many British‑South Asian footballers have to humanitarian work and community outreach. While Choudhury prepares for his new club chapter, other South Asian talents are making headlines abroad.
At the ASEAN Cup, Fulham’s young 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 entered the match against Indonesia as a substitute and found the net on his second appearance, highlighting the growing impact of British‑South Asian players on the global game.
Further down the international ladder, Oxford City winger Dillon De Silva proved decisive for Sri Lanka, scoring in a 3‑0 win over Seychelles and then adding another goal in a 2‑0 victory in the return fixture on Mahe Island. These performances illustrate the expanding footprint of South Asian talent across different continents and competition levels. The column also turns to a more personal story of support within the community. Both Mal Benning and Kam Kandola publicly stood behind Dundee United midfielder Zidane Iqbal after he endured verbal and online abuse while on international duty with Iraq.
Iqbal, who was born in Manchester and is of British‑Pakistani descent, spoke candidly to reporters last weekend about the hateful messages he received because of his heritage. Benning, who was honored with the Football Pioneer award at the Asian Football Awards, expressed his disappointment: "It’s heartbreaking to see Zidane targeted.
He is a role model for South Asian players, having featured at the World Cup, and his experience should be a one‑off incident, not a deterrent for aspiring youngsters. As a community we must rally around him and ensure he feels supported." Benning’s remarks were made ahead of the awards ceremony where he also celebrated his fourth consecutive inclusion in the South Asians in Football Team of the Season. Kam Kandola, the recipient of the Non‑League Player award, echoed the sentiment, praising Iqbal’s courage: "We all stand by him.
It’s vital that he feels proud of his background. Some people shy away, but he confronted the abuse head‑on, both for himself and for his heritage. I’m truly impressed by how he handled it and we all back him fully." The Asian Football Awards also highlighted other notable achievements. Mariam Mahmood, who plays forward for Wrexham and the Pakistan women’s national team, captured the Women’s Player award, while her teammate Layla Banaras of Lewes earned the Women’s Young Player accolade.
Their successes add further depth to the narrative of South Asian representation in both men’s and women’s football. In the men’s game, former Birmingham City midfielder Brandon Khela, the Men’s Young Player winner, discussed the excitement surrounding the possible appointment of Robbie Savage as Peterborough United manager.
Forest Green Rovers chairman Dale Vince confirmed that Savage has been offered the role and that negotiations are underway. Khela, who aspires to reach the Premier League, said: "Learning from someone like Robbie, who’s been a cult figure at St Andrew’s, would be invaluable.
No matter who takes the job, I’m eager to see the next chapter and improve my own game under new leadership." Khela also offered praise for former Peterborough boss Luke Williams, noting that he learned a great deal during Williams’ tenure and hopes their paths cross again in the future. Another inspiring story comes from Dilan Markanday, who recently made history as the first British‑South Asian to appear for Tottenham Hotspur in the club’s 140‑year history when he featured in a European match under Nuno Espírito Santo five years ago. Markanday’s solo strike for Chesterfield in a 2‑0 win over York City reminded him of his early days at Spurs. He described the goal as a moment of pure joy: "When the ball arrived at the halfway line, I ignored the advice to simply cross it and instead took on the defender.
Scoring felt like being that fearless kid again, playing without fear and just enjoying the game. I want to keep scoring different types of goals and retain that childlike excitement." These narratives collectively demonstrate the resilience, talent, and community spirit of British South Asian footballers.
From charitable initiatives and international breakthroughs to standing together against discrimination, the players are shaping a more inclusive and dynamic football landscape. For further stories, in‑depth features, and video content, visit Sky Sports’ dedicated South Asians in Football page and feel free to reach out to share your thoughts or suggestions.