The celebrated arrival of five-time Ballon d’or winner Cristiano Ronaldo on Iranian soil…..while being given a warm reception has not been without controversy.

This with critics of the government saying that Ronaldo’s superstar status is being used to whitewash the Iranian regime.

Ronaldo who is captain of Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr….was given a heroes welcome after landing in Tehran yesterday ahead of today’s Asian Champions League group stage encounter against the home team….Persepolis.

Among the dissident voices is Sardar Pashaei…….a former World Junior Wrestler champion who now serves as the Executive Manager of United for Navid….an organization that’s trying to raise awareness about the persecution of Iranian athletes.