Plaintiffs in a proposed class-action lawsuit against soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, related to his promotion of cryptocurrency exchange Binance, are exploring alternative methods to serve him legal documents. The lawsuit, which alleges that Binance clients incurred losses due to Ronaldo’s promotion of the platform, has faced challenges in traditional service methods.
On January 16, 2024, a motion was filed seeking permission to use non-traditional channels for serving Ronaldo. The plaintiffs propose to utilize email, X (formerly known as Twitter), and a dedicated website for publishing case materials. This approach is argued to be in compliance with international agreements and effective in providing notice to Ronaldo.
The motion underscores the difficulty in pinpointing Ronaldo’s current residence in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing that The Hague Conventions do not forbid such alternative service methods, particularly when the defendant’s address is unknown. The plaintiffs intend to send the lawsuit information to Ronaldo’s verified Twitter accounts and the email addresses of his domestic legal counsel, who are involved in ongoing U.S. federal litigation.
The class-action lawsuit, filed on November 27, 2023, in a Florida district court, accuses Ronaldo of promoting, assisting, and/or actively participating in the offer and sale of unregistered securities in collaboration with Binance. The suit references guidance from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which warns celebrities about the necessity of disclosing payments for promoting cryptocurrencies. The complaint alleges that Ronaldo failed to make such disclosures.
In mid-2022, Binance entered a multiyear partnership with Ronaldo, announcing a series of nonfungible tokens (NFTs) associated with the soccer star. At least three collections featuring Ronaldo have been tied to Binance since the partnership’s inception. The lawsuit represents a significant legal challenge for Ronaldo, highlighting the increasing scrutiny of celebrity endorsements in the cryptocurrency sector.
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