Iranian fans apologize to Ronaldo for chanting outside hotel

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Fans of Iran's national team apologized to Cristiano Ronaldo for chanting outside his hotel before the Portugal vs Iran match in Saransk on Monday.

The crowds turned up on Sunday night with vuvuzelas. /Screenshot from Twitter

Hundreds of Iranian fans were seen surrounding the hotel, where Portugal's national team is based, making loud noises to disrupt their sleep. The crowds were chanting, singing, clapping and blowing vuvuzelas as they attempted to disrupt star player Cristiano Ronaldo.

Cristiano Ronaldo was filmed making gestures asking the fans to be silent. /Screenshot from Twitter video

There was also a video clip being shared on social media, showing that Ronaldo made a gesture asking the fans to be silent and let him sleep. After the video was released, a few Iranian fans apologized on social media for the inconvenience they had caused.

On Twitter, a number of Iranians have apologized to Cristiano for their compatriot’s disruption. / Screenshot from Twitter

User @GKolangi said “Mr. Chris Ronaldo and all the players of the Portugal team, I apologize to you as an Iranian for the ugly movement of people that we are not believed to be Iranians…”

User @Samaghniaey commented “As a private Iranian citizen, I apologize to Cristiano Ronaldo and Portuguese team for the preposterous act of dozens of Iranians in disturbing them overnight. Dozens of people never represent our nation, we do respect Ronaldo and Portuguese football team.”

And user @Dastan_Dg, who does not really follow sports that much, said “as someone who carries the label ‘Iranian’, I feel it's necessary that I apologize for this act, at least on my own part... I hope the world knows these are not the people Iranians should be judged based on....”

Portugal advanced to the World Cup round of 16 from Group B after they drew 1-1 in a dramatic game with Iran. Karim Ansarifard scored a penalty in last minute, but failed to progress because Spain eventually tied with Morocco.