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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>CR7 presented with gifts in 2023</li><li>Contravened laws by touching married woman</li><li>Missed AFC Champions League fixture</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Is Cristiano Ronaldo facing '99 lashes' in Iran for act of 'adultery' with disabled fan? Country's embassy explains claims after Al-Nassr superstar missed AFC Champions League visit

<p>Portuguese superstar CR7 did not form part of Al-Nassr’s travelling party for the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/al-nassr-draw-a-blank-without-cristiano-ronaldo-jhon-duran-misfires-afc-champions-league-draw-esteghlal/blt16f81c23be9d47d9" target="_blank">first leg of an AFC Champions League last-16 encounter with Esteghlal</a>. Said absence <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-embarrassing-cr7-slammed-red-card-reaction-jude-bellingham-big-ego-message/bltc7f4d305fa68ce61" target="_blank">came as something of a surprise</a> as he managed the full 90 minutes in a Saudi Pro League defeat to Al-Orubah on February 28.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>There were suggestions that Ronaldo had opted against making the journey to Iran <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/cristiano-ronaldo-committed-crime-99-lashes-controversy-iranian-artist-fatemeh-hamami-explains-didn-t-file-charges/blt820c0a9c803a0790" target="_blank">due to supposed sanctions he would face</a> if returning to the country. Back in 2023, when facing Persepolis, he met with fan Fatemeh Hammami at Al-Nassr’s team hotel.</p><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cxa-mSzqNil/?hl=en" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Hammami is an artist that paints with her feet. She presented Ronaldo with a couple of pieces that she has worked on. The legendary frontman embraced said gifts, but contravened Iranian law by touching a married woman – <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/cristiano-ronaldo-sentenced-99-lashes-iran-adultery/blt4286c3d3e951550a" target="_blank">sparking the “99 lashes” speculation</a>.</p>

THE GOSSIP

<p>The Iranian embassy has responded to those claims in a statement given to <a href="https://talksport.com/football/2980236/cristiano-ronaldo-claim-99-lashes-iran-al-nassr-absence/ " target="_blank"><em>talkSPORT</em></a> by saying through a spokesperson: “We strongly deny the issuance of any court ruling against any international athlete in Iran. His sincere and humane meeting with Fatemeh Hamami was also praised and admired by both the people and the country’s sports authorities.”</p>

WHAT THE IRANIAN EMBASSY SAID

<p>It has since been reported – on the back of Al-Nassr’s 0-0 draw with Esteghlal – that Ronaldo <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/al-nassr-cristiano-ronaldo-update-left-out-of-squad-afc-champions-league-last-16-tie/bltbce3f4d88aa3f38e" target="_blank">missed said contest due to muscle fatigue</a>. No risks are being taken on his fitness at 40 years of age, with the evergreen frontman having <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-final-career-goals-man-utd-coach-cr7-objectives-lebron-james-target-involving-portuguese-goat-son/blt9b4b88b27269a562" target="_blank">hit 25 goals through 30 appearances in all competitions</a> this season.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR CRISTIANO RONALDO?

Is Cristiano Ronaldo facing '99 lashes' in Iran for act of 'adultery' with disabled fan? Country's embassy explains claims after Al-Nassr superstar missed AFC Champions League visit | Goal.com

Reports of Cristiano Ronaldo facing “99 lashes” in Iran following an act of “adultery” with a disabled fan have been refuted by the nation’s embassy.

Is Cristiano Ronaldo facing &apos;99 lashes&apos; in Iran for act of &apos;adultery&apos; with disabled fan? Country&apos;s embassy explains claims after Al-Nassr superstar missed AFC Champions League visit