99 Lashes Controversy? Iran Denies Ronaldo Rumors

The absence of Cristiano Ronaldo from Al Nassr’s team for their AFC Champions League Round of 16 first-leg game against Esteghlal FC on March 3 begged issues about the causes of his absence. Although others hypothesized that it might be related to legal problems in Iran, especially with the risk of suffering penalty for adultery but the truth is yet unknown.

The dispute stems from an event involving Al Nassr against Persepolis during Ronaldo’s past September 2023 trip to Iran. Ronaldo visited crippled Iranian artist Fatemeh Hammami Nasrabadi, who paints with her feet. Ronaldo kissed her forehead during an emotional moment the two had that went viral on social media.

Goal.com’s 2023 article claims that Hammamiwas inquired whether Ronaldo knew he was committing a crime by kissing her, She said: ” Ronaldo’s hug was for his love and fraternity, and he had no negative intentions; none informed him anything about the laws of Iran or he knew either. My family and I have no problems about this; we simply want to refute these charges directed toward Cristiano.”