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The Iranian Embassy in Spain has 'strongly denied' reports that Cristiano Ronaldo could be 'sentenced to 99 lashes for adultery'.
This comes after Iranian media,
per Mundo Deportivo, claimed that lawyers in the country had filed a complaint
against the Al-Nassr forward after pictures emerged online showing him hugging
international painter Fatima Hamimi.
The incident took place while
the Portuguese superstar was on a visit to the country back in September
However, the Iranian Embassy in
Spain has refuted claims that the footballer will be sanctioned should he
return to the country, instead supporting the gesture made by Ronaldo.
A statement from the embassy
read: 'We strongly deny the issuance of any court ruling against any
international athlete in Iran.
‘It is a matter of concern that
the publication of such unfounded news could overshadow crimes against humanity
and war crimes against the oppressed Palestinian nation.
‘It should be noted that
Cristiano Ronaldo travelled to Iran on September 18 and 19 to play in an
official football match and was very well received by the people and the
authorities.
'His sincere and humane meeting
with Fatemeh Hamami was also praised and admired by both the people and the
country’s sports authorities.’
Ronaldo, who is in a
relationship with Spanish model Georgina Rodriguez, visited Tehran, the capital
of Iran, with Al-Nassr to face Persepolis in the group stage of the Asian
Champions League in September.
While there, the former
Manchester United player met Iranian painter Fatima Hamimi, who wanted to give
a picture to Ronaldo, which she had made especially for him.
It's said Ronaldo kissed her on
the cheek and gave her a signed shirt, while he also posed for a photo in which
he hugs her, which attracted the ire of Iranian lawyers.
This is because in Iranian law,
touching a married woman is equivalent to adultery.
Hamimi is said to be '85
percent paralysed' and is a massive fan of the Portuguese star.
Iranian network Sharq Emroz, as
per Mundo Deportivo, had said that the Iranian justice system reacted quickly
to the photo of the pair and sentenced Ronaldo to 99 lashes the next time he
travels to Iran.
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