December 1 – One of India’s most accomplished women footballers is facing deportation from Britain due to strict visa rules that threaten to curtail her progress.
Aditi Chauhan made history four months ago by becoming the first woman from the Indian national team to play in the English League. But now the 22-year-old West Ham goalkeeper seems likely to have to return home.
Chauhan came to Britain on a student visa to pursue a Masters degree in sports management and was reportedly keen to join Millwall Lionesses, only to discover that according to English FA rules, no players on student visas are allowed to join a club in the top two tiers of women’s football.
Instead, she signed a one-year deal with third division West Ham but now finds herself in an unenviable situation since West Ham are not allowed to sponsor her application for a work visa as they are semi-professional.
“I was not allowed to play in the first or second division at first, but now I’m not allowed to play in any divisions but those. It’s just ridiculous and stupid,” Chauhan, who recently won a Women in Football award at Wembley stadium, told the Daily Telegraph. “I’ve never heard of a male footballer in my situation.”
Her brother is now reported to have launched a petition backing her claim to stay in the UK. “I’ll be disappointed if I can’t continue. If something doesn’t work out here, I’ll probably go to some other country like Australia.”
“It’s difficult for me to realise I might have to go back and leave my playing career in the UK. I was having a good time here and I’m improving with every game. I feel like I can do a lot better and I have the potential to still improve a lot more. I don’t want to stop playing football. It doesn’t matter where I go – I just want to play football.”
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