Cristiano Ronaldo ‘could be sentenced to 99 lashes for ADULTERY’, reports in Iran claim… and it’s all down to this photo with a painter

Cristiano Ronaldo could face a ’99 lashes for adultery’ the next time he visits Iran over a picture with a painter, according to reports in the country.

Iranian media, according to Mundo Deportivohave claimed that a large number of lawyers in the country have filed a complaint against the star Al-Nassr because of the photo that was taken during his visit there in September.

Ronaldo, who is in a relationship with Spanish model Georgina Rodriguez, visited Tehran, Iran’s capital, with Al-Nassr to face Persepolis in the group stage of the Asian Champions League in September.

While there, the Portuguese met Iranian painter Fatima Hamimi, who wanted to give the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star a picture she made just for him.

Ronaldo is said to have kissed her on the cheek and given her a signed shirt, while also posing for a photo hugging her, which has drawn the ire of Iranian lawyers.

Cristiano Ronaldo could be sentenced to ’99 lashes for adultery’ on his next visit to Iran because of this picture in which he hugged painter Fatima Hamimi.

Ronaldo has been in a long relationship with Spanish model Georgina Rodriguez

This is because in Iranian law, touching a woman is tantamount to adultery.

Hamim is said to be ’85 per cent paralysed’ and is a massive fan of the Portuguese star.

Iranian network Sharq Emroz, according to Mundo Deportivo, states that the Iranian justice system reacted quickly to the photo of the couple and sentenced Ronaldo to 99 lashes the next time he travels to Iran.

Al-Nassr are competing in the group stage of the Asian Champions League where they are in Group E along with Iranian side Persepolis, Qatari side Al-Duhail and Istiklol of Tajikistan.

He will not be returning to Iran at this stage of the competition, but if they were to progress to the knockout rounds, it cannot be ruled out that he will have to set foot on Iranian soil again.

It is said that if he does so, Ronaldo could be arrested by authorities in Iran to force him to serve his sentence.

However, as reported by Marca, the sentence can be waived by a judge if ‘the acts are not punishable or Ronaldo shows remorse’.

Ronaldo has been in a relationship with Rodriguez since 2016 and together they have two children, Alana Martina and Bella Esmeralda.

Rodriguez is also the mother of his three other children, eldest child Cristiano Jnr, and twins Eva and Mateo, who were born via surrogate.

Rodriguez and the children followed Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia when he joined Al-Nassr, in a deal that was confirmed on New Year’s Eve last year.

Mail Sport has approached Ronaldo’s representatives for comment.

Ronaldo had met the painter after he visited Iran in September for Al-Nassr’s Asian Champions League match with Persepolis in the country’s capital, Tehran.