AFC Cup: Kitchee’s Pakistan international Zesh Rehman denied entry by New Delhi airport immigration

The AFC Cup Group E clash between India’s Churchill Brothers and Hong Kong’s Kitchee SC on April 24 in Pune was not only important for both teams’ round of 16 aspirations but also because of the much-awaited appearance of Kitchee’s England-born Pakistan international Zesh Rehman.

Indo-Pak tensions have affected many sporting events over the years and that is why Zesh was hoping that his first-ever appearance on Indian soil would remind both countries that sport cannot have any barriers.

But according sources close to Sportskeeda, Zesh, who has the distinction of being the first British-Asian to play in the English Premier League (EPL), will miss the game as he was denied entry by the immigration authorities of the New Delhi airport on Monday. This is because after getting the visa, Zesh was only granted permission to come to India via Mumbai.

The whole Kitchee squad came through New Delhi but only the former Fulham defender was denied entry by the airport’s immigration authorities. It was learnt that even the intervention of the Indian consulate in Hong Kong couldn’t help Zesh and Kitchee will now have to play their final away match of this AFC Cup without the center back.