Ronaldo in Tehran: threatened with whip punishment after kiss! Drama in Iran!

Ronaldo in Tehran: threatened with whip punishment after kiss! Drama in Iran!

Cristiano Ronaldo is facing a dramatic situation in Iran. He faces 100 lashes for kissing artist Fatemeh Hamami on the forehead. This comes after, during a visit to Tehran, he met the artist, who is known for her extraordinary works of art that she creates with her feet. The ban on physical contact between the sexes, which has existed in Iran since 1979, makes this incident particularly sensitive kosmo.at reported. Ronaldo has therefore decided not to attend the Asian Champions League round of 16 match between his team Al-Nassr and Esteghlal at the Azadi Stadium on Monday.

Historic match and safety concerns

Due to strained diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, Al-Nassr became the first Saudi team to travel to Iran since 2016. Fans had gathered outside Ronaldo's hotel to see the star up close. How BBC reported that the match was being played in an Iranian stadium for the first time in seven years since a Basij militia attack on the Saudi embassy. Despite returning, Ronaldo feared for his safety and decided not to travel. This also comes in the context that the match takes place two days after the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death, which sparked protests across the country.

The game is scheduled for Monday at 5 p.m., but it will take place in front of empty stands. The AFC imposed this penalty on Persepolis because of a social media post in 2020. This decision could play into the hands of Al-Nassr and Ronaldo, who operate in a politically complex environment while reminding us of the rivalry between the two nations on the pitch. These dazzling circumstances increase the drama and appeal of the game, but the focus is on the challenges that Ronaldo has to overcome as a prominent athlete in such a fragile environment.