There have been claims that Cristiano Ronaldo was sentenced to 99 lashes in Iran for hugging a young Iranian artist during his visit to Tehran.
The 99 lashes sentence was said to be scheduled for execution upon Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival in Iran. In response to the controversy, the Iranian Embassy in Spain released a statement to deny these claims.
« We strongly deny any legal action against an international athlete in Iran. It is concerning that the publication of such unfounded information may overshadow crimes against humanity and acts of war against the oppressed Palestinian nation. »
« It is worth noting that Cristiano Ronaldo visited Iran on September 18 and 19 to participate in an official football match and was warmly received by the people and authorities. His sincere and humane meeting with Fatemeh Hamami was also praised and admired by both the people and the country’s authorities, » as reported in the statement, which was conveyed by Bernabeu Digital.
The claim that Cristiano Ronaldo was sentenced to 99 lashes is false, and it has been officially denied by the Iranian Embassy.