Is Cristiano Ronaldo Bigger Than Saudi Arabia's Law?

The news of Saudi Arabia reportedly being set to bend its marriage law to allow Al Nassr new star signing Cristiano Ronaldo to live with his partner, Georgina Rodriguez is an issue that has raised concerns.

Ronaldo recently joined Al Nassr from Manchester United after his contract with the club was terminated by mutual agreement following an explosive interview with British presenter, Piers Morgan.

The nine-time Saudi Pro League champions offered Ronaldo a deal worth €200m per year with commercial benefits included to make him the highest-paid player in history.

With a deal struck, a new phase of Ronaldo's career begins in a country that is strict on cohabitation.

It is understood that in every Arab nation, living together outside of marriage is haram (unacceptable).

The laws governing the people frown at men and women cohabitating without being married.

A man, by Arab law, can only be allowed to live together with a woman when they are married.

Couples who dare live together outside of marriage in Arab societies often bear the brunt. The reason for this is hinged on the fact that cohabitation is against the Arab tradition and the teachings of Islam. 

Saudi Arabia is not an exception to issues of cohabitation.

The position of the Arab nation remains firm despite that in recent years, an increasing number of Arab couples have been making the decision to live together without marrying.

Under Saudi Arabia's Sharia law, cohabitation is a crime that is likely punishable with a jail sentence, followed by deportation if found guilty.

There have been numerous cases where men and women who aren't married faced severe consequences for breaching the local law.

The event of a couple arrested in Riyadh sometime in 2016 is a case in point. 

Riyadh police spokesman, Col. Fawaz Al-Maiman, had explained that the couple got arrested because the man - a Syrian expatriate - could not prove that he was married to the woman and was unable to present documentation to prove his marriage.

But in the case of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, it is a story of different strokes for different folks.

Ronaldo's status as one of football's greats and most-marketable athletes in the world has afforded him a pass in Saudi Arabia.

He has never been married but has been together with Georgina Rodriguez since 2016.

His relationship with Georgina goes against the local law of Saudi Arabia, yet the Portuguese is unlikely to face punishment.

Two Saudi Arabian lawyers who spoke to Spanish news agency EFE expressed that there is a huge possibility that Al Nassr new signing will be let off the hook despite not being married to Georgina.

One said, "Although the laws still prohibit cohabitation without a marriage contract, the authorities have begun to turn a blind eye and not persecute anyone.

"Of course, these laws are used when there is a problem or a crime."

The other added, "The Saudi Arabian authorities, today, do not interfere in this matter [in the case of foreigners], but the law continues to prohibit cohabitation outside of marriage."

By virtue of this, one thing is clear; Saudi Arabia's law on cohabitation is selective in its application.

It applies to those who are neither powerful nor mighty and can be circumvented by those who are influential.

The double standard is damning and puts the Saudi Arabian authorities in the eye of the storm.

Why should every Tom, Dick and Harry who contravenes the cohabitation law be prosecuted without hesitation, but the same law is bent for a prominent figure?

"Is the law that detests cohabitation no longer supreme? Must non-married couples have a cult following before they can be shielded from any potential legal problems? 

These posers are very pertinent to answer as the immunity which covers the former Manchester United footballer is capable of stirring the hornets' nest.

Not many traditional Arabians will support the decision of the Saudi Arabian authorities if the rules that govern all and sundry are not enforced.

It would be wrong to assume that because Ronaldo is profoundly loved by Saudi supporters, the authorities won't be berated for taking a hypocritical position.

This is the bitter truth that must be stomached.