Cristiano Ronaldo met artist Fatemeh Hamami in Iran last month (Instagram)
Iran have denied reports suggesting that Cristiano Ronaldo faces 99 lashes for kissing artist Fatemeh Hamami.
Ronaldo travelled to Iran with his Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr last month as they played Persepolis in the AFC Champions League.
Before Al-Nassr’s match, Ronaldo met with Hamami in Iran’s capital Tehran where she presented him with two portraits which she had painted with her feet due to her paralysis.
During his meeting with Hamami, Ronaldo hugged her and kissed her on the head, and his actions led to reports in Iranian media which claimed that lawyers have filed charges against the five-time Ballon d’Or winner for committing adultery.
Law in Iran forbids affectionate gestures between a man and a woman who are not married.
However, Iran ‘strongly denies’ reports that Ronaldo will face punishment if he returns to Iran.
A statement from the Iranian embassy in Spain 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.’
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Ronaldo reportedly angered Iranian lawyers after kissing artist Fatemeh Hamami in Tehran.