Lorenzo Brown and Mohammad Motaghinia faced contrasting outcomes this weekend amid ongoing expropriation debates. Brown, a playmaker born in the United States who was quickly nationalized to help Spain in the European Championship, steered Spain toward a continental gold. Motaghinia, an Iranian wrestler who has lived in Spain since 2018, could not compete in the Belgrade Wrestling World Cup due to a bureaucratic obstacle.
Moha arrived in Spain four years ago at 21, competed in a tournament, and stayed. He recalls his path: “I was third in the junior world and Asian champion, but I ran into federation issues. I received offers from Romania and Brazil, yet the Spanish federation persuaded me to stay.” A coach from a club in Jaén offered him a job, housing, and a work residence permit legally until he held his passport. He trained full-time at Olympic Power Wrestling in Torredelcampo (Jaén) until citizenship was obtained through the standard process.
protect the hearth
“Many countries fast-track nationalizations, but we are taking steps to safeguard the talent pool with a minimum stay in Spain,” explains Francisco Javier Iglesias, president of the Spanish federation.
Nationalization of foreigners: the endless queue of non-Lorenzo Brown
It is noted that after three licenses are processed, the request first goes to the CSD and then proceeds to replace sports citizenship with full citizenship. The arrangement culminated in a formal award, with the Spanish federation contributing funds to education rights and international federation fees to allow competition for Spain.
immigration office
The results followed quickly: Spain won championships in the Spanish Grand Prix and secured silver in June at the Sanxenxo Beach Wrestling World Series. The Belgrade World Cup, held recently, could serve as a gateway to the international elite pending a residence permit issued by the Jaén immigration office.
A post on social media highlighted Motaghinia’s presence and achievements in Madrid-based training circles.
Torredelcampo City Council recently granted a part-time contract to teach children. A resolution cut his hours at the club, resulting in a loss of residence permit. He pursued legal action, spending substantial sums on lawyers, but the case did not prevail. Still, he continued training in hopes of resolving the bureaucratic issue before the World Cup. He notes daily training, shedding weight, and awaiting the necessary paperwork.
“fully integrated”
There is a real possibility that Motaghinia could compete in Belgrade with a valid Spanish sports license and an Iranian passport. Yet the paradox remains: he could win a medal for Spain and be denied entry upon return if the status of his residency is unclear. The federation has chosen to prevent such scenarios, acknowledging that some sports navigate these processes faster than others.
Spaniard Lorenzo Brown is praised not only for his skill on the pitch but also for his strong command of English, a detail noted by observers on social platforms.
“There is a sense of disappointment about fully integrated athletes facing obstacles. After four years in Spain and language proficiency, there are still barriers when eligibility is at stake. Brown is viewed as a potential top-10 finisher in Belgrade and a strong medal candidate for the Paris Olympics. With no injuries or weight issues, he could pursue multiple Olympic cycles.”
endless waiting
Motaghinia relocated to the Centro de Alto Rendimiento in Madrid to continue training while his case is reviewed, aiming to qualify for the European and World Championships next year and, ultimately, the Olympic Games. He reflects on the possibility of winning a World Cup medal and earning a Games ticket, but notes that entering Spain without a passport is not possible. He expresses gratitude for the fast support from Brown’s case and remains hopeful that residency issues will be resolved, allowing him to pursue his dream of an Olympic medal for both himself and Spain.