Iran reacts to reports of '99 lashes for Ronaldo' for kissing fan on forehead

Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi club Al-Nassr, did not travel to Iran with his team for the AFC Champions League pre-quarterfinal match. 

Some media reports suggested that the shocking reason behind his absence could be the fear of facing 99 lashes as punishment in Iran.

The reports said that Ronaldo's alleged reluctance stems from an incident in 2023 when Iranian artist Fatemeh Hamami, who paints using her feet, gifted Ronaldo a portrait she created. In response, the footballer warmly kissed her forehead, an act that allegedly violates Iranian laws and could result in a severe penalty (99 lashes as punishment).

However, a spokesperson at the Iranian embassy has dismissed the claims that Ronaldo, who also missed his side's trip to Persepolis in February, would have faced whippings in Iran. 

"We strongly deny the issuance of any court ruling against any international athlete in Iran," a spokesperson firmly told talkSPORT.

"His sincere and humane meeting with Fatemeh Hamami was also praised and admired by both the people and the country's sports authorities," the Iranian embassy added.

The Saudi Gazette has reported that Ronaldo actually missed out on the trip due to muscle fatigue. 

Ronaldo, 40, has played 30 matches in all competitions this season, scoring 25 goals and setting up a further four. Al-Nassr drew 0-0 without him on Monday night.

In 2023, Iranian network Sharq Emroz, as per Mundo Deportivo, claimed that a large number of lawyers in Iran filed complaints over Ronaldo's interaction with painter Hamima.

At that time, it was reported that Ronaldo would be arrested if he entered Iran again.

But in 2023, Hamima said, "Unemployed lawyers made accusations against him without my or my family's permission."

"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," she said.

Hamima added, "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," she added.