Cristiano Ronaldo Skips Match in Iran Over Risk of Legal Punishment

The football star faces potential charges under Iranian law for a 2023 incident involving a gesture of affection toward a local artist.

Cristiano Ronaldo will not travel to Iran with his Al-Nassr team for an AFC Champions League match against Esteghlal FC.
The decision stems from a 2023 incident in Tehran where Ronaldo hugged and kissed the head of Fatemeh Hammami Nasrabadi, a disabled Iranian artist.
Under Iranian law, such gestures toward someone other than a spouse could be interpreted as adultery, punishable by 99 lashes.
Al-Nassr had requested the match be moved to a neutral venue, but this was denied, prompting the team to exclude Ronaldo from the trip.
Ronaldo is expected to participate in the second leg of the tournament on March 10 in Saudi Arabia, where no legal risks are present.