Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence from Al-Nassr’s trip to Iran has been clarified by the country’s embassy, which dismissed rumors that he would face 99 lashes for adultery upon entering the nation.
The Portuguese superstar missed the Asian Champions League match against Esteghlal in Tehran on Monday, as well as a previous clash with Persepolis last month.
Reports had circulated claiming the 40-year-old would be punished following an interaction with a disabled fan, specifically after he greeted Iranian painter Fatima Hamami with a hug and a kiss in 2023. This gesture was said to have violated Iranian law since any physical contact with a married woman is considered adulterous.
However, a spokesperson from the Iranian embassy has refuted these accusations, praising the meeting between Ronaldo and Hamami as “sincere.” They asserted, “We strongly deny any reports of a court ruling against any international athlete in Iran. His heartfelt meeting with Fatima Hamami has been admired by both the public and the country’s sports authorities.”
Reports from Saudi Arabia indicated that Ronaldo’s absence was actually due to muscle fatigue, not legal concerns.
In light of the initial claims, Hamami, who paints using her feet, defended the former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward. During their meeting, she gifted him a portrait of himself, while he returned the gesture with one of his shirts.
Hamami expressed gratitude for their encounter, stating, “Unemployed lawyers made accusations without my or my family’s permission.” She further added, “In Iran, he committed a crime by hugging me, but we never filed any complaints… I am very thankful to Ronaldo for his kindness. I wish him the best in life and football.”
Hamami explained that Ronaldo was unaware of Iranian laws regarding physical contact, asserting, “His hug was a gesture of love and brotherhood, with no bad intentions. My family and I have no complaints about this situation and we wish to deny these accusations against Cristiano.”
