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

According to Mundo Deportivo, Iranian media claim that a large number of lawyers in the country have filed a complaint against the Al-Nassr star over a photograph taken during his September visit.

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

During his visit, the Portuguese international met Iranian painter Fatima Hamimi, who wanted to give the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star a painting she created especially for him.

Ronaldo is said to have kissed her on the cheek and given her a signed shirt, and he also posed for a photo in which he hugs her, which has enraged Iranian lawyers.

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

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

Iranian network Sharq Emroz, as per Mundo Deportivo, state that the Iranian justice system reacted quickly to the photo of the pair 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 alongside Iranian side Persepolis, Qatar side Al-Duhail and Takikistan’s Istiklol.

He will not return to Iran in this phase of the competition but should they made the knock-out rounds, it cannot be ruled out that he will have to set foot on Iranian soil again.

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

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