Iranian artist Fatemeh Hamami has been angered by false reports that Cristiano Ronaldo was sentenced to 99 lashes for kissing her.
It was claimed the Portuguese striker was convicted of adultery in Iran when he kissed the disabled artist after receiving two portraits of him from her.
The two met in Tehran ahead of Al-Nassr’s AFC Champions League match against Persepolis.
The Iranian embassy in Madrid, however, denied the reports and Ms Hamami explained why her family had not filed a complaint against Mr Ronaldo.
“ Fake news makes me very sad and angry. I was very happy to see Cristiano and give him the paintings”, she declared to Ole.
“ Cristiano Ronaldo is an extremely professional and ethical character who always gets involved in great charitable works, and he embraced me with love and affection. Unemployed lawyers made accusations against him without my permission or that of my family. In Iran, he committed a crime for hugging me, although we never had any complaints… I am very grateful to Ronaldo for the love he has for me. I hope the best happens to him in life and in football.”
Asked whether Ronaldo was aware he was committing a crime by kissing her, Hamami replied: “ No one told him about Iranian laws and he didn’t know it either, but Ronaldo’s embrace was for his love and brotherhood, and he had no bad intentions. My family and I have nothing to say about this, we just want to deny the accusations against Cristiano.”
Hamami, who is 85% paralyzed, also opened up about realizing a “dream” of her life when she presented the paintings to the Portuguese international.
“ It was a dream “, she said. “II spent several years drawing portraits of him and I couldn’t believe that this dream had come true and seeing Cristiano in our country, Iran, and giving him the paintings as a gift.
“I have long dreamed of meeting him. When Al-Nassr played against Persepolis in Tehran, I traveled 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 jersey! I will keep it as a souvenir… It is very important and precious to me.”
