Dev’s Digest: Sarpreet Singh, Amit Bhatia and Michail Antonio feature in the column that sets the record straight on British South Asians in Football | Football News
Welcome to Dev’s Digest, a Sky Sports column in which Asian Football Award winner Dev Trehan delivers exclusive news and reflects on some of the key developments for British South Asians in Football.
Singh on set at Sky Sports News
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Sarpreet Singh speaks to Dharmesh Sheth on Sky Sports News about creating history at the World Cup and his experience of featuring against England and playing for Bayern Munich.
The second half of the World Cup coincided with the start of South Asian Heritage Month in the UK – and it was great to celebrate with two trailblazers on set at Sky Sports News.
Our resident transfers guru Dharmesh Sheth has been a regular fixture on Sky Sports News for more than 20 years and someone who’s helped pave the way for under-represented communities in sports media. He was joined on set by New Zealand international footballer Sarpreet Singh.
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Dharmesh Sheth updates on the transfer speculation surrounding Julian Alvarez as well as Inter Milan’s interest in England internationals John Stones and Djed Spence.
Singh, who has just completed a move to Portuguese side Farense, made history at the 2026 World Cup by becoming the first footballer of Indian parentage to start a game in the tournament’s history.
“When the team got selected and I was named, it was a real proud moment for me and my family,” Singh told Sky Sports News.
“I think I’m in a very privileged position to be the first Indian and first Punjabi to play at the World Cup. I’ve got so much support behind me from everyone around the world. I see it as a huge privilege and I embrace all the challenges that are ahead of me and that come with it.
“I’m very happy and proud to be given that responsibility and I try and do my best to represent our community and all the people that support me.”
Sarpreet Singh andJeremy Doku battle for possession during the World Cup game between New Zealand and Belgium
Singh idolised Didier Drogba growing up and would wake up in the middle of the night in New Zealand to watch the Premier League great in action for Chelsea.
While he never got to play against Drogba, Singh did play against England in New Zealand’s pre-World Cup friendly with the Three Lions in Tampa.
“It was such an amazing experience to be up against the likes of Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford who I watched play [for ages] in the Premier League. It was another dream come true moment, but I was just trying to do the best job for my country.”
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England captain Harry Kane reflects on England’s third place at the World Cup, backs head coach Thomas Tuchel to succeed with England and does not rule out playing one more World Cup.
Had things worked out differently, Singh could have been lining up alongside Kane at club level next season. Singh spent four seasons with Bayern Munich after the Bavarian giants signed him following his impressive showing for New Zealand at the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup.
“It was such an unreal experience,” said Singh, who played against Tottenham in the 2019 Audi Cup final before making his Bundesliga debut later that year.
Sarpreet Singh made his Bundesliga debut for Bayern Munich in 2019 when he replaced Philippe Coutinho in a 6-1 win over Werder Bremen
“It was amazing to be around one of the biggest clubs in the world and to learn from some of the best on a daily basis.
“Hansi Flick (the current Barcelona manager) was in charge. Alphonso Davies and Joshua Zirkzee were there at the time, so we are all mates.”
Bhatia and Bezos to take stake in Liverpool?
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British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia is leading a consortium attempting to purchase a minority stake in Liverpool – we take a closer look at the former QPR co-owner.
An investment consortium led by British-Indian millionaire and former QPR co-owner Amit Bhatia has expressed an interest in acquiring a minority stake in Liverpool.
Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) acknowledged the approach on the same day that Bhatia stepped down from the board at QPR to end an 18-year association, having agreed to transfer his stake in the club to majority owner Ruben Gnanalingam.
Amit Bhatia was QPR’s co-owner until July 21, when he transferred his share of the club to Ruben Gnanalingam.
A spokesperson for FSG said: “An investment consortium led, managed, and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club.”
Sky News has since revealed that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has also been approached to join the consortium.
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Sky News’ Mark Kleinman discusses Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ potential involvement in a consortium, led by former QPR co-owner Amit Bhatia, to buy a stake in Liverpool.
No deal has been agreed with discussions at an early stage. FSG bought Liverpool in 2010 for £300m. Forbes recently valued the club at £4.6bn.
On Tuesday, Bhatia announced he was leaving his role at QPR, saying the club “has been a deeply important part of my life and of my family’s life”. He served as vice-chairman before becoming chairman in 2018, a role he held for five years.
Will Amit Bhatia succeed in his attempt to acquire a strategic minority stake in Liverpool Football Club?
Bhatia is the son-in-law of Lakshimi Mittal, who is the executive of steel and mining company ArcelorMittal.
Mittal is worth an estimated £23.2bn.
Team of the Season stars return
Dilan Markanday, Millie Chandarana and Zidane Iqbal are among the players featured in the British South Asians in Football Team of the Season
It was incredible this month to publish our fourth annual British South Asians in Football Team of the Season.
Produced in partnership with DesiBallers, the team remains the only annual initiative recognising the on-field contribution made by British South Asians in Football.
How the players line up in the 2025/26 British South Asians in Football Team of the Season
A number of players in this year’s team have returned action, including Hamza Choudhury who is Leicester City’s longest-serving player and has captained the Foxes during pre-season.
Jas Singh has been back between the sticks for Tamworth, while Kam Kandola has started every pre-season game at Hereford since joining over the summer.
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Manchester United academy graduate Zidane Iqbal sat down with Sky Sports News’ Adam Bate to look ahead to the World Cup with Iraq and the opportunity of facing the likes of France, Norway and Senegal in the group stages.
Zidane Iqbal, fresh from becoming the first British South Asian ever to play at a World Cup, looks to be back in favour at Utrecht and has featured for the club in pre-seson.
Dilan Markanday is back in action with Chesterfield and has joined their tour of Ireland, while Yan Dhanda is also back in the fold at Hearts after spending last season on loan at Dundee.
Dhanda has featured in every pre-season game and will hope to be involved in Hearts’ Champions League second round second-leg qualifier at home to Sturm Graz on Tuesday.
Malik set for Actonians move
Pakistan international Zahmena Malik is set to sign for Actonians, Sky Sports News can exclusively reveal.
Actonians are one of the few independent women’s clubs remaining in the top four divisions of English women’s football, alongside the likes of Liverpool Feds and top-flight side London City Lionesses.
Malik, who hails from east London, played for Lakatamia in the Cypriot top division last season and has previously featured for clubs including Leyton Orient, London Seaward and Saudi side Al-Hmmah.
East Londoner Zahmena Malik in action for Pakistan at the FIFA Series in the Ivory Coast (credit: Pakistan Football Federation)
Former Spurs youngster Malik was recently part of the first Pakistan women’s team ever to play in a FIFA tournament.
Pakistan played three matches in the FIFA series in the Ivory Coast, with attacking midfielder Malik opening the scoring in an 8-0 victory against the Turks and Caicos Islands in a new record win for The Shaheens.
Malik also netted a historic goal in 2023 when she scored Pakistan Women’s first-ever goal in an Olympic Games qualifier in a 1-0 win against Tajikistan.
Mannu set to sign for West Bromwich Albion
Birmingham City trailblazer Riya Mannu is set to join West Bromwich Albion, Sky Sports News can exclusively reveal.
The 19-year-old was part of Birmingham City’s title-winning squad that earned promotion to Women’s Super League 1 last season.
Mannu impressed while on a dual-registration loan at West Brom in the second half of last season and scored her first goal for the Baggies against Rugby Borough on her full debut for the club.
The attacking midfielder made history in a Blues shirt in 2024, becoming the first British South Asian ever to play league football for Birmingham City Women.
Mannu was part of the Birmingham City U21 side that defeated Leicester City 4-3 in the PGA Cup final the following season. That year, Mannu was also named as the club’s Professional Game Academy Player of the Season.
Antonio dazzles at Sikh football tournament
Michail Antonio celebrates scoring for West Ham at the London Stadium
Players and spectators were left stunned earlier this month when West Ham record Premier League goalscorer Michail Antonio played in a cup final at a Sikh football tournament in Leicester.
The Khalsa Football Federation (KFF) tournaments have been running for more than 50 years, with teams allowed three players that aren’t from South Asian backgrounds.
Antonio, who spent three weeks in hospital in December 2024 after crashing a Ferrari in Epping Forest in Essex and suffering a badly broken leg, featured for Singh Sabha Slough in the Over 35s final against Punjab United Sports Wolverhampton.
The forward scored a breathtaking goal, chipped in with an assist and even missed a penalty in the game as Singh Sabha Slough ran out 2-0 winners – although they forfeited the trophy as Antonio had not been officially registered to play beforehand.
Michail Antonio joins the Singh Sabha Slough boys for a photo
Danny Barham, who was a Singh Sabha Slough guest player alongside Antonio, told Sky Sports News: “He joined the team through one of our players as their children go to school together and had to leave at 7am from London to get there for a 10am kick-off.
“He was the nicest person you could ever meet, probably the nicest person I’ve ever met!
Michail Antonio (bottom right) and Danny Barham (third from bottom right) with their Singh Sabha Slough team-mates at the KFF tournament Leicester
“The team we were playing weren’t originally going to let him play, so Singh Sabha Slough disqualified themselves just to let him play in the game.
“He scored an absolute worldie from outside the box with no backlift – almost like Ronaldinho’s goal against Chelsea in the Champions League – and he also assisted for the second goal.
“Technically, you see why he is a pro compared to everyone else [and] there was no attitude, he played as if it was his own team. But you could see the difference playing with a pro.”
Jarnail Singh flanked by sons Bhupinder Singh Gill (R) and Sunny Singh Gill (L)
The match was refereed by Jarnail Singh, who is the father of trailblazing match officials Sunny Singh Gill and Bhupinder Singh Gill.
Singh, who remains the only turbaned Sikh ever to have refereed in the English Football League, told Sky Sports News: “I used to play in KFF tournaments in the early 80s and have been refereeing at them for many, many years.
Michail Antonio and an opposition player are tracked by referee Jarnail Singh at the KFF tournament Leicester
“Michail was a really nice, humble bloke and he was playing for the fun of it with a big smile on his face.
“The people watching enjoyed seeing him and more came over to watch when they realised he was playing. He was nice and he stayed behind to take photos with everyone.”
British South Asians in football
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