Cristiano Ronaldo Skips Team Trip to Iran as Embassy Addresses Claim of ‘99 Lashes for Adultery’

Cristiano Ronaldo did not miss Al-Nassr’s clash with Iranian side Esteghlal due to claims that he would face 99 lashes for adultery, the country’s embassy has clarified.

The Portuguese superstar was absent from his side’s trip to Tehran for the Asian Champions League match on Monday.

Ronaldo also missed Al-Nassr’s previous clash with Persepolis, another Tehran-based team, last month.

It had been previously reported that the 40-year-old could face “99 lashes for adultery” following an interaction with a disabled fan.

Ronaldo met with Iranian painter Fatima Hamami in 2023 and greeted her with a hug and a kiss. This reportedly violated Iranian law, as touching a married woman is considered adulterous.

A spokesperson from the nation’s embassy has dismissed these claims, instead praising the interaction between Ronaldo and Hamami as “sincere.”

“We strongly deny the issuance of any court ruling against any international athlete in Iran,” the embassy said. “His sincere and humane meeting with Fatima Hamami was also praised and admired by both the people and the country’s sports authorities.”

Reports from Saudi Arabia indicate that Ronaldo missed the match due to muscle fatigue.

Amid earlier speculation about a possible punishment, Hamami, who paints with her feet, defended the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star. During their meeting, she gifted him a portrait, while Ronaldo presented her with one of his jerseys.

Hamami expressed her appreciation for their interaction. “Unemployed lawyers made accusations against him without my or my family’s permission,” she said in 2023.

“In Iran he has committed a crime for hugging me, while we have never had any complaints… I am very grateful to Ronaldo for his love and love towards me. I hope the best happens to him in life and football.

“No one told him anything about the laws of Iran and he didn’t know it either, but Ronaldo’s hug was for his love and brotherhood, and he had no bad intentions.

“My family and I have no complaints about this issue, we just want to deny these accusations against Cristiano.”