East Bengal's Brazilian defender Douglas Santos D'Silva was prevented from boarding a British Airways flight for London, from Kolkata, on Saturday as immigration authorities at the airport found that the footballer had overstayed in the country.

Airport authorities said his visa was for only 180 days and he had stayed in the country without extending it from the Foreigners' Registration Office.

D'Silva was a key member of the East Bengal team, which won the National Football League last week. He was instrumental in the Kolkata side clinching the title, scoring two brilliant goals against Vasco, Goa, in the team's penultimate match of the league. He finished with six goals to his name.

UNI