December 1, 2023
The day the US and Iran exchanged prisoners far more attention was given in Tehran to the arrival of soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, who is now playing for Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr soccer club, which came to Tehran to face Persepolis.
It was a huge news event for the media, as fans mobbed the Portuguese Ronaldo at the airport and chased his bus through the city’s streets. They also pushed passed guards into the team’s hotel, Espians Palace. No one was hurt.
Ronaldo’s support staff admitted two fans to his room for personal hugs and signed tee-shirts. One was Fatimah Hamami, who is largely crippled but has gained fame for her ability to paint with a brush clasped between her toes. The other was Adrian, a nine-year-old who was pushed out of the way by the crowd and never got to see Ronaldo. He was noticed by a member of Ronaldo’s staff, who took him to Ronaldo’s room for a visit, hug and team shirt.
More than three weeks later, two Tehran news outlets published stories that said some lawyers had filed a complaint against Ronaldo, charging him with “adultery” for hugging the painter and giving her a kiss (atop her head on her headscarf). Adultery in Iran embraces such contacts. The stories appeared to say a court had convicted him and sentenced him to 99 lashes, though the writing was unclear and might have been intended to say that if convicted he could be sentenced to 99 lashes.
At any rate, after the story that he had been sentenced to 99 lashes was given much attention, starting in Spain, the Iranian embassy in Madrid issued this statement: “We strongly deny the issuance of any court ruling against any international athlete in Iran. It is a matter of concern that the publication of such unfounded news could overshadow crimes against humanity and war crimes against the oppressed Palestinian nation.
“It should be noted that Cristiano Ronaldo traveled to Iran on September 18 and 19 to play in an official soccer match and was very well received by the people and the authorities. His sincere and humane meeting with Fatemeh Hamami was also praised and admired by both the people and the country’s sports authorities.”
On departing Iran, Ronaldo had thanked the Tehran fans on his Instagram account, saying, “A very special thank you to the fans and to all the Iranian people who have made this visit so special for us. Such an incredibly warm welcome!”
The Saudi team members were all presented with SIM cards, allowing them to access the internet without facing the blocks that Iranian citizens confront.
The game was part of the annual Asian Champions League competition among club teams. The results were all bad for Persepolis—including the final score, which saw Al Nassr win 2-0, although Ronaldo scored neither goal.
The first disaster came 10 minutes into the match when Persepolis (and national team) star Mehdi Torabi, fell to an injury and had to be stretchered off the field.
The second disaster came six minutes into the second half when Persepolis midfielder Milad Sarlak drew his second yellow card of the match and had to leave. Sarlak had fouled Ronaldo.
Al Nassr scored both of its goals while Persepolis was playing with only 10 men.
The teams played in an empty Azadi Stadium, which is undergoing repairs, ostensibly to prepare for admitting women.
The appearance of the Saudi team in Iran was the first concrete result of the Saudis and Iran resuming diplomatic relations. For the past seven years, the two teams have played each other in Dubai or Doha.
Ronaldo is the first of several big-name stars to accept lavish contracts offered by Saudi Arabia as it tries to make a splash in international soccer.