In the midst of all the problems we’re currently facing in Lebanon, the Lebanese cabinet found time to secure the necessary constitutional measures to naturalize 25-year-old previous NBA player Omar Spellman in time for him to represent Lebanon in the World Cup. Our national team clearly needs our support but naturalizing foreign players should be the least of our concerns right now, especially if this player will require compensation that could be used to train young and aspiring Lebanese talents.

In addition to that, this naturalization is happening while Lebanese women are still not allowed to pass on their citizenship to their non-Lebanese partners and children.