Cristiano Ronaldo could be facing a sentence of '99 lashes for adultery' after he hugged and kissed a woman on the cheek in Iran.
Reports in Iranian media claim that a number of lawyers have filed a complaint over the Portuguese footballer stemming from a meeting with Iranian painter Fatima Hamimi.
Ronaldo, who is in a long-term relationship with Spanish model Georgina Rodriguez, was in Iran with Al-Nassr ahead of their game against Persepolis in the group stage of the Asian Champions League in September.
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Hamimi, who is partially paralysed, made a painting of Ronaldo which she then presented to him.
It’s been reported that the 38-year-old then kissed Hamimi on the cheek before giving her a signed shirt and putting his arm around the painter while he posed for a snap.
In Iranian law, touching a single woman is equivalent to adultery, with the punishment set at ‘99 lashes’.
According to Marca, the Iranian justice system would have to punish Ronaldo next time he is in Iran.However, it’s also been reported that a judge would have the power to quash any charges.
Earlier this year, Ronaldo faced calls to be deported from Saudi Arabia after he grabbed his crotch during a match against Al Hilal.
After the game ended - which ended up being a 2-0 defeat, with Al Hilal ultimately triumphing - Ronaldo appeared to grab his crotch in front of the spectators, who began chanting the name of Lionel Messi at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh.
Ronaldo's X-rated gesture in public is considered illegal in Saudi Arabia, according to talkSport.
After the video began making the rounds on social media, lawyer Nouf bin Ahmed pushed to have him deported.
He added he had filed a complaint with the Saudi Prosecutor’s Office after accusing Ronaldo of committing 'a crime of public indecency'.
"It is considered a crime of public dishonour, and it is one of the crimes that entails arrest and deportation if committed by a foreigner," Ahmed said via X, formerly known as Twitter.
Ronaldo was also criticized by Saudi reporter Ozman Abu Bakr, who called the five-time Ballon d'Or award winner's action 'an immoral and rude gesture against the spectators' and demanded his contract be terminated'.
However, Marca reported that Ronaldo may have grabbed his crown jewels after receiving a 'blow to his genitals' during the match.
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Football, Sport, World News
Claire Reid