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Indian football chiefs are increasingly confident that diaspora footballers from Britain will be allowed to play for the national team, Sky Sports News can exclusively reveal.

Current rules prevent Indian-heritage footballers abroad from playing for the national side unless they surrender their overseas passport.

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That has prevented British Indians from earning international recognition and the opportunity to help India break back into the world's top 100 FIFA-ranked nations.

But one senior official has told Sky Sports News he is "convinced" the path will be cleared to allow eligible overseas footballers to represent India.

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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.

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"We're 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."

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Sky Sports News has followed the story of Indian-origin British footballers trying to play for India for more than a decade.

In 2014, former Newcastle striker Michael Chopra told Sky Sports News he was ready to play for India and that cricket great Sachin Tendulkar was ready to help him fulfil that desire.

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In 2017, Danny Batth, who has just signed for Millwall and whose father was in born in Punjab, told Sky Sports News senior correspondent Rob Dorsett about his desire to play for India.

West Ham chief Virani targets Premier League return

West Ham interim chief executive officer Karim Virani wants the club to continue driving positive change, but admits the main goal is to make an immediate return to the Premier League.

Sunday 16th August 3:45pm

Kick off 4:00pm

The Hammers beat Leeds United in their final game last season, but it wasn't enough to prevent them from finishing 18th and suffering relegation.

"As we look ahead to the new [league] season, it's less than a week now and we have our first match, which has come around incredibly quickly," Virani said.

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"The strength of the West Ham family in terms of supporting our team is going to be so crucial to our objectives as a football club - and everyone is aware we have one primary objective this year, which is to get out of the Championship and back to the Premier League.

"While it becomes very easy to quickly focus on the football, we should never forget the responsibility we have as a football club to drive positive action and impact off the pitch too.

"Personally I'm incredibly passionate about West Ham being at the forefront of championing equality and celebrating inclusion, and ensuring all of our matches - men's, women's and academy - are environments where everyone feels welcome."

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Virani was speaking at a West Ham United and Inclusive Irons event with Desi Ballers to close South Asian Heritage Month.

The event - also attended by club ambassadors Matt Jarvis and Bobby Seagull - shone a light on West Ham's work in the community.

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The 2025/26 British South Asians in Football Team of the Season was also showcased on the night.

Bhatia and Bezos close in on Liverpool stake

Sky News understands a consortium led by British Indian entrepreneur Amit Bhatia is closing in on a deal to buy a roughly one-third stake in Liverpool.

Bhatia leads an investor group that includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin.

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Their investment in Liverpool will reportedly value the club at £4.4bn ($6bn), making it one of the sport's richest-ever deals.

Sky Sports News has contacted Liverpool and FSG for comment.

Dhanda's dream debut

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The EFL kicks off again on Friday, presenting the perfect opportunity to look back at one of my favourite Championship moments, which happened eight years ago on the opening weekend of the season.

We often hear about dream debuts in football, but it's fair to say Yan Dhanda's first appearance for Swansea - and indeed his first taste of senior professional senior football - was exactly the stuff that dreams are made of.

It was a sunny afternoon at Brammall Lane, with the game locked at 1-1 in the closing stages of Graham Potter's first game as Swansea boss, away at Sheffield United.

Nobody, not even Dhanda, could have imagined what would happen next.

"It was crazy. I'd done really well in pre-season. I was only 19 but I was confident. I wanted to play. We got to Sheffield and I knew I was on the bench," Dhanda told me for Sky Sports News in 2018.

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"All night I'd been dreaming of coming on and scoring. I was texting my cousin the night before and saying imagine if I come on and score on my debut. It's the dream.

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"I went to sleep and kept waking up. It was the first time I've ever been in a pro game. All I could think was coming on and scoring.

"Come the game, I was on the bench for the first time in a professional game. It's the Championship, I'm sitting there thinking this is fast, this is harder than I thought.

"It was late in the game when Graham Potter told me I was coming on and I was buzzing - 30 seconds later, the ball fell to me in a good position where I backed myself.

"I just hit it and then it was a mad blur. My dad and cousin were in the stands right behind that goal. It was honestly the best feeling."

Young guns on the move

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Fulham youngster Farhaan Ali Wahid has joined National League side Boreham Wood on loan.

Ali Wahid is set for his first taste of senior football, after 17 goal contributions in 21 PL2 appearances for Fulham last season saw him nominated for PL2 Player of the Season.

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Elsewhere, Riya Mannu has completed her move to West Bromwich Albion Women, while Pakistan international Zahmena Malik has joined Actonians.

Both moves were exclusively revealed by Sky Sports News in last month's edition of Dev's Digest.

Mahmood and Iqbal go head-to-head for major award

Dr Zaf Iqbal and Pakistan international footballer Mariam Mahmood have been shortlisted for Sports Personality of the Year at the Asian Achievers Awards.

Dr Zaf left Arsenal at the end of last season after helping the Gunners end their 22-year wait for a Premier League title, also reaching their first Champions League final in 20 years.

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He is one of English football's most respected doctors, having worked at Liverpool, Tottenham and Crystal Palace, and previously serving as chair of the Premier League Doctors Group and co-chair of the FA Medical Society.

Dr Zaf played a pivotal role in a breakthrough moment during the 2020/21 season, when Sky Sports News revealed Leicester's Monday Night Football clash with Crystal Palace had been paused mid-game to allow players to open their fast during the holy period of Ramadan in a Premier League first.

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This has now become a norm, with Sky Sports News exclusively revealing in 2023 that match officials across the leagues had been asked to find a natural pause in play to allow players to open their Ramadan fast during evening matches.

Mariam Mahmood has enjoyed a breakthrough 12 months, making her Pakistan debut last summer and going on to score three goals in her first four international appearances before joining Wrexham.

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Mahmood helped Wrexham win a league and cup double last term and qualify for European competition for the first time in their history.

Meanwhile, nominations for the 2026 Asian Football Awards close next week.

Members of the public can nominate on the Asian Football Awards website across a range of categories including the professional game, non-league, grassroots and coaching.

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Sky Sports News understands a new left-sided forward is a priority for Tottenham amid interest in Manchester City's Savinho and Liverpool's Cody Gakpo.

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Tottenham summer special podcast

You can listen to the podcast or watch the show on YouTube to hear the full thoughts of ex-Spurs midfielder Jamie O'Hara and Sky Sports News' Michael Bridge and Lyall Thomas on Tottenham's summer so far.

O'Hara said: "I like Savinho. What I've seen of him, there have been bright sparks. It hasn't massively worked for him at Manchester City, but he's obviously a talented player.

"I like Gakpo, but the problem with him is he maybe needs four or five chances to score one, but he has got something about him. I wouldn't be disappointed in the signing - he's a player who I wouldn't mind.

"I just don't know why we don't go for Marcus Rashford. I really think that Spurs should just go, how much do you want? How much can we get him for?

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"I know he's on £350,000 a week, and obviously Spurs potentially can't afford that, but he's such a brilliant player.

"If you get him at it with a point to prove, I just think he's still one of the best players around.

"If he stays at Man Utd, I think he'll play, so I just don't know why we've not been interested in him."

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'De Zerbi can get best out of Rashford'

Rashford has returned to the Man Utd squad, having spent last season on loan at Barcelona, who opted against signing him despite scoring 14 goals and providing 14 assists in 47 appearances as they won LaLiga.

O'Hara feels the 28-year-old would fit the "bomba" signing De Zerbi teased last month, with it understood the Italian wants to sign at least one wide attacker in the final weeks of the summer window.

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"I think De Zerbi is the perfect man-manager for someone like Rashford," O'Hara said. "He's a manager who will get the best out of him.

"I think he'd be a good signing for us. Maybe he doesn't want to sign for Tottenham, or maybe he may be looking elsewhere.

"But the left side is something we still need to address. Mathys Tel is a decent young player, but he isn't the answer.

"We have got to sign someone who's a top-drawer player, who gets us to another level and really pushes us on.

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"If we've got the money, and it looks like we have, and De Zerbi's come out and said we're signing another big player, well, let's go and make something happen."

Spurs have spent £237m on six new players this summer, but their most recent signing - the club-record £100m arrival of Sandro Tonali - came over a month ago.

It has led to concerns that the club's recruitment drive has stalled, with the forward line still in need of reinforcement ahead of the window closing in just under three weeks.

Sky Sports News reporter Michael Bridge told the Tottenham summer special podcast: "Tottenham know what they need, and from the conversations I continue to have, and what I've seen so far this summer, I'm confident they'll get that done.

"I've been impressed with the midfield signings, and I've got that feeling from De Zerbi in his interviews this summer that he knows, and he's got a good feeling about what's to come.

"He has been so hands-on, and Spurs have said, 'Keep us up, you get the keys', and he has got the keys, so let's see if he opens the door on those forwards."

'I'd be disappointed if Spence is sold'

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Meanwhile, Rashford's England team-mate Djed Spence looks set to leave Tottenham this summer.

The 26-year-old is closing in on a move to Inter Milan in a deal that could be worth up to £30m.

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But O'Hara has questioned the defender's potential exit, which would leave Pedro Porro as the club's only recognised right-back.

He said of Spence's possible departure: "I'd actually be disappointed to let him leave. I just don't think that we should let him go.

"He can play in different areas, multiple areas - left-back, right-back and on the wing. He's athletic, he's strong, he's decent on the ball.

"Maybe he lacks a little bit going forward in terms of his attributes. But if you look at him not being a starter, he's definitely one that you're going to use. Porro or (Andy) Robertson could get injured, and you can't rely on (Destiny) Udogie's fitness.

"If Porro picks up an injury, who is the guy who's going to step in there? It can't be Archie Gray. We've got to allow Gray to develop into a midfield player; that's what we've signed him for.

"So, if you're going to get rid of him [Spence], you're going to have to bring someone else in.

"I wouldn't be gutted if we sold him, but I'd be disappointed if we let him go."

Should Spence seal a move to Serie A, Sky Sports News understands Tottenham will look to add another right-back before the window shuts on September 1.

Sky Sports News senior football news editor Lyall Thomas told the Tottenham summer special podcast: "If Spence leaves, then I think Spurs should be looking at a right-back who's a little bit younger and more of a development project.

"Porro's one of the few players at Spurs who you can bank on playing every game - he hasn't got that injury record that others have got.

"He's a World Cup winner and if you've got him as your leading right-back then having him as a mentor to develop would be a good shout."

For the full thoughts of Jamie O'Hara, Michael Bridge and Lyall Thomas, including analysis of the Spurs captaincy and expectations for the upcoming season, listen to the Tottenham summer special podcast as a podcast, or watch on YouTube. %!s()

Barcelona remain determined to sign Rodri and are considering their next move.

City are seeking upwards of £60m for the 30-year-old midfielder, who has entered the final year of his deal. Talks remain ongoing.

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Sky Sports News has reported this summer that City do not want to sell Spain's World Cup-winning captain and instead want to agree a new contract with him. However, if Rodri asks to leave, then they would not stand in his way.

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Man City in talks with Saudi side over Reijnders sale

Man City are talking to Saudi Arabian club Al Qadsiah about selling Tijjani Reijnders to them.

Advanced and positive talks are ongoing for a package in the region of £51.3m (€60m).

Reijnders is viewed as a world-class and peak-age player by Qadsiah, who are keen to strengthen in midfield ahead of their first Asian Champions League campaign.

Al Qadsiah are also about to move into their new Aramco Stadium.

It means City could lose two central midfielders but they also want to sign potentially two, with interest in Enzo Fernandez and Ayyoub Bouaddi.

Chelsea have given City a deadline of Friday 5pm to make a £120m bid for Enzo while talks remain ongoing with Lille for Bouaddi. %!s()

The women's match between Southern Brave and SunRisers Leeds is at 2.15pm and will be followed by the men's contest between Manchester Super Giants and SunRisers Leeds at 6pm.

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SunRisers men's team will be looking to bounce back from their heavy loss to the Super Giants on Tuesday. If they had won, they could have gone straight through to the final!

What stars are on show?

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Who is ready for Harry Brook vs Jos Buttler 2.0?

As previously mentioned, SunRisers Leeds and Super Giants met on August 11, with the latter pulling off a huge 10-wicket victory, chasing down their target of 128 with 33 balls to spare.

Brook was restricted to just 10 runs from seven deliveries and will know he needs to do better than that if his side are going to make it through to Sunday's big dance.

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He is used to partnering Buttler on the international stage, but now, he needs to ignore the man behind the stumps and try to stay at the crease for as long as possible.

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In the women's eliminator, Phoebe Litchfield (SunRisers) has been the gun batter across the competition, scoring 289 runs in eight matches. That is a remarkable strike rate of 168.

Meanwhile, Tilly Corteen-Coleman is the leading wicket-taker, with 13 wickets in eight matches.

Get ready for a battle between them!

Which teams are through to the Finals?

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In both the men's and women's competitions, Trent Rockets topped the table and are through to the Finals.

The men's team won six of their eight matches, while the women's team won seven, losing just once.

They will face formidable foes for whoever makes it through the Eliminator...

When and where are the Finals?

Both of the Finals take place on Sunday August 16 at Lord's Cricket Ground.

The women's final is at 2.15pm, followed by the men's final at 6pm.

Who will be performing?

At Finals Day, it is Ella Eyre who will take centre stage. Some of her biggest hits include 'Came here for love' with Sigala and 'Answerphone'.

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Who are the previous winners?

Men's competition

• 2021: Southern Brave
• 2022: Trent Rockets
• 2023: Oval Invincibles (now MI London)
• 2024: Oval Invincibles (now MI London)
• 2025: Oval Invincibles (now MI London)

Women's competition

• 2021: Oval Invincibles (now MI London)
• 2022: Oval Invincibles (now MI London)
• 2023: Southern Brave
• 2024: London Spirit
• 2025: Northern Superchargers (now SunRisers Leeds)

Remaining men's and women's fixtures

Friday August 14: Eliminators, Kia Oval (women's game - Southern Brave vs SunRisers Leeds - 2.15pm, men's - Manchester Super Giants vs SunRisers Leeds - 6pm) - Reserve Day, Saturday August 15

Sunday August 16: Finals, Lord's (women's game - Trent Rockets vs TBC - 2.15pm, men's - Trent Rockets vs TBC - 6pm) - Reserve Day, Monday August 17

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Grammy-winning producer Brad Cook (Waxahatchee, Bon Iver) will serve as bandleader and musical director of the show, which will feature celebrity guests and surprise music performances. While specific details about “The Goneies” are limited, one might envision the “Las Culturistas Culture Awards” but straight — or, rather, for people whose Mariah Carey is Hamilton Leithauser.

Presented by Talkhouse, “The Goneies” marks the latest extension of the “How Long Gone” brand, which includes the podcast with more than 1,000 episodes, live performances, parties and red carpets hosted by Black and Stewart. In February, the duo announced “How Long Gone Today,” a video format of the show shot at a news-desk studio in Los Angeles.

“This will be a seismic gathering of the greatest minds of our generation,” said Black and Stewart in a statement. “People who make music, post selfies, act, think they are funny, the media elite, and most of all look hot will all gather in one room in Manhattan to receive awards based on merit and high achievement from a podcast that they may or may not even listen to. We will have several surprise guests standing in with our all-star house band led by Brad Cook, so if nothing else, you get to see one of your faves play a few songs.”

“To our knowledge, this is the first and only cultural awards show presented by a podcast, and we’re very proud of that,” added Talkhouse founder Ian Wheeler (a “Culturistas” dig!). “We’re also really excited to get Chris and Jason and all of their friends in front of a step-and-repeat for the very first time.” %!s()