Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence from Al-Nassr’s clash with Iranian side Esteghlal in the Asian Champions League has been linked to claims he would face 99 lashes for adultery, but the country’s embassy has strongly denied such reports.
Ronaldo, who also missed a previous match against Persepolis in Tehran, was said to be facing punishment for a meeting with Iranian artist Fatima Hamami in 2023, where he greeted her with a hug and a kiss. This interaction allegedly violated Iranian law, as touching a married woman is considered adulterous.
However, a spokesperson from Iran’s embassy refuted the accusations, praising the meeting as “sincere” and stating that no court ruling had been issued against any international athlete in Iran. They emphasized that the meeting between Ronaldo and Hamami had been well-received by both the public and the country’s sports authorities.
Reports in Saudi Arabia suggest that Ronaldo’s absence was due to muscle fatigue, rather than any legal issues. Hamami, who paints with her feet, defended Ronaldo, insisting that the accusations against him were made without her or her family’s permission. She clarified that the two had no complaints about the incident and praised Ronaldo for his kindness.