Cristiano Ronaldo Committed A Crime Amid ‘99 Lashes’ Controversy 

Fatemeh Hamami, an Iranian artist, was incensed by rumours that Cristiano Ronaldo had been condemned to 99 lashes for hugging her.

It had been claimed that the Portuguese forward was convicted of adultery in Iran when he embraced the disabled artist after receiving two portraits of himself from her.

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The two got together in Tehran before Al-Nassr’s AFC Champions League match versus Persepolis.

The Iranian embassy in Madrid refuted the claims, and Hamami provided an explanation for why her family decided not to report Ronaldo to the police.

“Fake news makes me very sad and angry. I was very happy to see Cristiano and give him the paintings,” she said to Ole.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is an extremely professional and ethical character who always gets involved in great charity matters, and he embraced me with love and affection.

“Unemployed lawyers made accusations against him without my or my family’s permission. In Iran he has committed a crime for hugging me, while we have never had any complaints… I am very grateful to Ronaldo for his love and love towards me. I hope the best happens to him in life and football.”

Asked if Ronaldo was aware that he was committing a crime by embracing her, Hamami said: “No one told him anything about the laws of Iran and he didn’t know it either, but Ronaldo’s hug was for his love and brotherhood, and he had no bad intentions. My family and I have no complaints about this issue, we just want to deny these accusations against Cristiano.”

Hamami, who is 85% disabled, spoke candidly about achieving a lifelong “dream” as he gave the paintings to the Portugal international.

“It was a dream,” she said. “I spent several years drawing portraits of him and I couldn’t believe that dream had come true and seeing Cristiano in our country, Iran, and giving him the paintings as a gift.

“I dreamed for a long time about meeting him. When Al-Nassr played Persepolis in Tehran, I travelled with my family from my hometown to meet Cristiano at the hotel where his team was staying.

“He was very valuable to me. He made me very happy. And he gave me his shirt! I’m going to leave it as a souvenir… It’s very important and valuable to me.”