13-10-2023 (THERAN) Reports from Iran suggest that football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo could face a sentence of 99 lashes for adultery the next time he visits the country, all because of a photo with a painter.
Iranian media, as per Mundo Deportivo, have reported that numerous lawyers in Iran have filed a complaint against the Al-Nassr star over a photo taken during his visit to Tehran in September. During that visit, Ronaldo and his team faced Persepolis in the group stage of the Asian Champions League.
The controversy centers around a meeting with Iranian painter Fatima Hamimi, who had created a special painting for Ronaldo. He kissed her on the cheek, gave her a signed shirt, and posed for a photograph in which he embraced her. This gesture has provoked the ire of Iranian lawyers because, according to Iranian law, touching a woman can be considered equivalent to adultery.
It’s worth noting that Fatima Hamimi is reportedly “85 percent paralysed” and a devoted fan of the Portuguese football icon.
According to Iranian network Sharq Emroz, as reported by Mundo Deportivo, the Iranian justice system swiftly reacted to the photo of the pair and sentenced Ronaldo to 99 lashes the next time he visits Iran.
As of the present, Al-Nassr is participating in the group stage of the Asian Champions League, in Group E alongside Iranian side Persepolis, Qatar’s Al-Duhail, and Tajikistan’s Istiklol. While Ronaldo will not return to Iran during this phase of the competition, it remains a possibility if his team advances to the knockout rounds.
There is a chance that if Ronaldo does return to Iran, he could be detained by authorities to enforce the sentence. However, according to Marca, the sentence might be forgiven by a judge if the acts are deemed non-punishable or if Ronaldo shows remorse.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been in a relationship with Spanish model Georgina Rodriguez since 2016, and they have two children together, Alana Martina and Bella Esmeralda. Rodriguez is also the mother of Ronaldo’s three other children: eldest child Cristiano Jr., and twins Eva and Mateo, who were born via surrogate.
Georgina Rodriguez and the children relocated to Saudi Arabia when Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr, a deal that was confirmed on New Year’s Eve last year.
