Reports that Cristiano Ronaldo, an Al-Nassr forward, will receive 99 lashes for kissing performer Fatemeh Hamami have been refuted by Iran.
When Ronaldo traveled to Iran with his Saudi Pro League team last month to play Persepolis in the AFC Champions League, the incident took place.
Ronaldo visited with Hamami in Tehran prior to the game, when she gave him two portraits.
Due to her disability, Hamami painted the portraits using her feet.
When they first met, Ronaldo gave her a hug and a head kiss. Due to his conduct, there have been rumors that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has been charged with adultery.
Acts of affection between a man and a woman who are not wed are illegal in Iran.
However, a statement from the Iranian embassy in Spain read:
“We strongly deny the issuance of any court ruling against any international athlete in Iran.
“It is a matter of concern that the publication of such unfounded news could overshadow crimes against humanity and war crimes against the oppressed Palestinian nation.
“It should be noted that Cristiano Ronaldo travelled to Iran on September 18 and 19 to play in an official football match and was very well received by the people and the authorities. His sincere and humane meeting with Fatemeh Hamami was also praised and admired by both the people and the country’s sports authorities.”