Cristiano Ronaldo did not skip Al-Nassr’s recent Asian Champions League match against Esteghlal due to fears of punishment in Iran, the country’s embassy has confirmed.
Ronaldo was absent from the game in Tehran on Monday, just as he missed Al-Nassr’s earlier match against another Iranian club, Persepolis, last month. Reports had suggested the football star could face 99 lashes for alleged adultery after hugging and kissing disabled Iranian painter Fatima Hamami in 2023. Iranian law prohibits physical contact between men and married women.
However, the Iranian embassy dismissed the claims, stating no legal action was ever taken against Ronaldo.
"We strongly deny any court ruling against an international athlete in Iran," a spokesperson told talkSPORT. "His kind and humane meeting with Fatima Hamami was praised by the people and sports officials in the country."
Saudi reports indicate that Ronaldo missed the match due to muscle fatigue rather than legal concerns.
Hamami, who paints using her feet, also defended Ronaldo. She had presented him with a portrait, and in return, he gave her a signed jersey.
In 2023, she addressed the controversy, saying, “Some lawyers made accusations against him without my or my family’s permission. We have never complained. His hug was out of love and brotherhood, not bad intentions.”
She added that Ronaldo was unaware of Iran’s laws and only acted out of kindness.
"My family and I have no complaints. We just want to deny these false claims against Cristiano," she said.
