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Tehran Derby
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
 Team kits – Persepolis in red, Esteghlal
in blue | |
| Location | Tehran, Iran |
|---|---|
| Teams | Esteghlal Persepolis |
| Latest meeting | Persepolis 0–0 Esteghlal 2025–26 Persian Gulf Pro League 5 December 2025) |
| Stadiums | Azadi Stadium |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | Official matches: 99 |
| Most wins | Persepolis (29) |
| Most player appearances | Ali Parvin (20) |
| Top scorer | Safar Iranpak (7) |
| Largest victory | Taj 0–6 Persepolis |
The Tehran derby (Persian: شهرآورد تهران, romanized: Shahrāvard-i Tehrān), also known as Blue-Red derby (Persian: شهرآورد سرخابی, romanized: Shahrāvard-i Sorkhābi), is a football match between the two prominent Tehran clubs Esteghlal and Persepolis.
It is widely considered the major crosstown derby in the Persian Gulf Pro League. This match was declared as the most important derby in Asia and 22nd most important derby in the world in June 2008 by World Soccer magazine.[1][2][3] It is considered one of the world's most intense derbies.[4]
History
[edit] |
The first derby match between the teams took place on April 5, 1968, at Amjadieh Stadium, where the game finished as a scoreless draw. At the time, Esteghlal was known as Taj SC. Both clubs were relatively young . The rivalry between Shahin and Taj was transferred to its current stage when the Shahin club had to cease operations due to poor relations with the IFF.
Over time, the rivalry became more heated and club fans began attaining collective identities. By the mid-1970s Persepolis was seen as a working class club, while Taj was viewed as a club close to the ruling establishment and supported by the upper class of Iranian society.
Due to the sensitive nature of the matches, fan violence has occurred several times. In minor cases, fans break chairs or throw garbage at the field, but in some cases, fans have stormed the field of play, physical fights between opposing teams and fans have broken out, and public property has been destroyed.
Ever since 1995, federation officials have invited foreign referees to officiate the game to ease fan and player suspicions of referee bias. This occurred after the events of the 39th derby (see below).
Azadi Stadium has been the stadium where most of the matches took place, but Amjadieh Stadium (now Shiroudi) in Tehran and Sahand Stadium in Tabriz have all hosted the game at least once.
Hassan Rowshan from Esteghlal F.C., at the age of 18 years and 357 days is yet the youngest player ever who has scored a goal in the Tehran derby. He scored the only goal in a 1–0 win against Persepolis F.C. On May 25, 1974. Ali Alipour, at the age of 19 years and 185 days, became the youngest Persepolis F.C. player ever to score in Tehran derby. He scored the only goal in their 1–0 victory on May 15, 2010.
Notable matches
[edit]- Persepolis 4 – Taj 1 (February 4, 1972) – This was Persepolis's first win in the derby match, which was also a Goalfull match. First time Persepolis beat its rival with 4 goals.
- Persepolis 6 – Taj 0 (September 7, 1973) – Best ever result in Tehran derby.
- Esteghlal 1 – Persepolis 0 (October 7, 1983) – Iranian television broadcaster IRIB did not air the match so a large number of fans flocked to Azadi Stadium. An estimated 128,000 entered the 100,000-capacity stadium. So many fans were in attendance that some were forced to climb the metal base of the stadium floodlights. None of the derby matches to this date have had a higher attendance and mostly likely never will as the 2002 renovations of the stadium reduced its capacity.
- Esteghlal 2 – Persepolis 2 (January 20, 1995) – In the 39th derby Persepolis was leading in the match by a score of 2–0 until the last 10 minutes of the match. Esteghlal scored 2 goals in quick succession, including one which was a penalty. This angered the Persepolis fans and players who felt the referee was biased towards Esteghlal. Persepolis fans stormed the field, and a number of fights broke out on the pitch between fans and players. After this match it was decided that Iranian referees will no longer be used for the derby.
- Persepolis 3 – Esteghlal 0 (July 11, 1997) – One of the most one-sided derby matches for the two teams. Persepolis dominated the match with scoring 3 goals by Edmond Bezik, Mehdi Mahdavikia and Behnam Taherzadeh. In addition to this 3 goals, Persepolis also hit the post bar for 3 times. Persepolis won Esteghlal 2 times back and forth in this league season and won championship at the end.
- Persepolis 2 – Esteghlal 2 (December 29, 2000) – The game was extremely sensitive as Mehdi Hasheminasab had left Persepolis in the off-season for Esteghlal as Ali Parvin kicked him out because he was scared Hasheminasab would break his record so he left and after leaving Persepolis fans hit Hasheminasab’s mom harshly. Behrouz Rahbarifar opened up the scoring in minute 56, while Mohammad Navazi tied the game up at the 67th minute. Some thought the game would be over when Hasheminasab scored a late goal at minute 86, but Ali Karimi saved Persepolis scoring a goal at minute 89 to please the red fans. During the game Esteghlal's goalkeeper Parviz Broumand and Persepolis striker Payan Rafat were constantly insulting each other. This eventually led to Broumand punching Rafat in the face and giving him a black eye. A massive fight broke out between the players. After the match hooligans went on a rampage. They destroyed 250 city buses and damaged multiple shops. Three players from each side were arrested along with 60 fans for their behavior.
Statistics
[edit]Matches
[edit]Head to head
[edit]As of 5 December 2025, there have been 106 competitive first-class meetings between the two teams since the first league meeting in 1969. In all 99 official competitive meetings since 1968, Esteghlal has won 23 and Persepolis 29.
| Tournament | Matches | Esteghlal wins | Draws | Persepolis wins | Esteghlal goals | Persepolis goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iranian Leagues | 77 | 18 | 35 | 24 | 69 | 84 |
| Iranian Hazfi Cup | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Iranian Super Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | – | – |
| Tehran Competitions | 15 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 11 | 9 |
| Total Official Matches | 99 | 23 | 47 | 29 | 87 | 99 |
| Friendlies and Exhibitions | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 5 |
| Grand Total | 106 | 26 | 51 | 29 | 95 | 104 |
Head-to-head ranking in Iranian Leagues (1970–2025)
[edit]| P. | 71 | 72 | 74 | 75 | 76 | 77 | 78 | 90 | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | 6 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | 9 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13 | 13 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18 |
• Total: Esteghlal with 16 higher finishes, Persepolis with 24 higher finishes (till end of the 2024–25 Persian Gulf Pro League)
Stadiums
[edit]- As of 5 December 2025
Since the first match in 1968, Tehran Derby matches have been held in 5 stadiums, including 3 outside Tehran. The following table shows the details of the stadiums that hosted the Tehran Derby.
| Tehran Derby stadiums | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stadium | Results | Notes | ||
| Esteghlal | Draws | Persepolis | ||
| Shahid Shiroudi Stadium | 8 | 6 | 3 | The home stadium of both teams until 1971, it hosted many Tehran Derby matches. Its primary name was Amjadieh. |
| Total: 17 | ||||
| Azadi Stadium | 18 | 42 | 25 | The home stadium of both teams since 1971, it hosted more Tehran Derby matches than any other stadium so far. Its primary name was Aryamehr. |
| Total: 85 | ||||
| Azadi Stadium (Bandar Abbas) | 0 | 1 | 0 | The second leg between the two teams in the 1994–95 season was held at this stadium without any fans. because fans stormed the field in the previous game. |
| Total: 1 | ||||
| Yadegar-e Emam Stadium (Tabriz) | 0 | 1 | 0 | The home stadium of Tractor. The first leg between the two teams in the 2002–03 season was held at there Because the Azadi pitch was being renovated. |
| Total: 1 | ||||
| Imam Khomeini Stadium (Arak) | 0 | 1 | 1 | The home stadium of Aluminium. The first legs between the two teams in the 2024–25 and 2025–26 seasons were held at there due to the Azadi seats was under renovation. |
| Total: 2 | ||||
Records
[edit]Friendly matches are not included in the following records unless otherwise noted.
Results
[edit]Biggest wins (+3 goals difference)
[edit]| Winning margin | Result | Date | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Persepolis 6–0 Esteghlal | 7 September 1973 | League |
| 3 | Persepolis 4–1 Esteghlal | 4 February 1972 | |
| Persepolis 0–3 Esteghlal | 8 May 1977 | ||
| Esteghlal 0–3 Persepolis | 11 July 1997 | ||
| Persepolis 0–3 Esteghlal | 9 December 2011 | Hazfi Cup |
Most goals in a match
[edit]| Goals | Result | Date | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Persepolis 6–0 Esteghlal | 7 September 1973 | League |
| Persepolis 4–2 Esteghlal | 15 April 2016 | ||
| 5 | Persepolis 4–1 Esteghlal | 4 February 1972 | |
| Esteghlal 3–2 Persepolis | 25 February 2005 | ||
| Esteghlal 2–3 Persepolis | 2 February 2012 | ||
| Esteghlal 3–2 Persepolis | 12 February 2017 |
Longest Runs
[edit]Most consecutive wins
[edit]| Games | Club | Period |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Esteghlal | 15 October 2010 – 9 December 2011 |
| 3 | Esteghlal | 22 August 1969 – 17 January 1971 |
| 3 | Persepolis | 18 October 1996 – 13 November 1998 |
Most consecutive draws
[edit]| Games | Period |
|---|---|
| 6 | 30 March 2007 – 2 October 2009 |
Most consecutive without a draw
[edit]| Games | Period |
|---|---|
| 6 | 3 February 2010 – 2 February 2012 |
Longest undefeated runs
[edit]| Games | Club | Period |
|---|---|---|
| 19 (8 wins) |
Persepolis | 20 September 2018 – 5 December 2025 |
| 10 (6 wins) |
Esteghlal | 25 May 1990 – 29 December 1995 |
| 10 (4 wins) |
Persepolis | 2 February 2012 – 16 September 2016 |
Most consecutive without conceding a goal
[edit]| Games | Club | Period |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Esteghlal | 24 January 1992 – 1 January 1993 |
| 4 | Persepolis | 29 December 1995 – 13 November 1998 |
| 4 | Esteghlal | 15 October 2010 – 9 December 2011 |
| 4 | Persepolis | 24 August 2012 – 17 January 2014 |
| 4 | Esteghlal | 24 August 2012 – 17 January 2014 |
Most consecutive games scoring
[edit]| Games | Club | Period |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Esteghlal | 3 November 2006 – 2 February 2012 |
| 8 | Persepolis | 3 November 2006 – 3 February 2010 |
Players
[edit]Goal scorers
[edit]- Players in bold are still active for Esteghlal or Persepolis.
League = "Iranian Leagues" ; Cup = "Hazfi Cup" ; Region = "Tehran Competitions" ; Other = "Friendlies" or "Exhibitions"
Top scorers by competition
[edit]| Competition | Player | Club(s) | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iranian Leagues |  Safar Iranpak
|
Persepolis | 6 |
| Iranian Hazfi Cup |  Mojtaba Jabbari
|
Esteghlal | 2 |
| Tehran Province League | Ali Jabbari
|
Esteghlal | 3 |
| Shahrokh Bayani
|
Persepolis Esteghlal |
3 |
Most consecutive goalscoring
[edit]| Player | Club(s) | Consecutive matches | Total goals in the run | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safar Iranpak
|
Persepolis | 3 | 1970–71 Tehran Province League | 1971–72 Local League (second leg) | |
| Mehdi Hasheminasab
|
Persepolis | 3 | 1998–99 Azadegan League (first leg) | 1998–99 Hazfi Cup (final) | |
| Farhad Majidi
|
Esteghlal | 3 | 2009–10 Persian Gulf Cup (first leg) | 2010–11 Persian Gulf Cup (first leg) | |
Most appearances
[edit]- Players in bold are still active for Esteghlal or Persepolis.
| Apps | Player | Club(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Ali Parvin
|
Persepolis |
| 19 | Alireza Vahedi Nikbakht
|
Esteghlal Persepolis |
| 18 | Afshin Peyrovani
|
Persepolis |
| Mahmoud Fekri
|
Esteghlal | |
| Amir Hossein Sadeghi
|
Esteghlal | |
| Omid Alishah
|
Persepolis | |
| 17 | Ali Jabbari
|
Esteghlal |
| Karo Haghverdian
|
Esteghlal | |
| 16 | Asghar Adibi
|
Persepolis |
| Ebrahim Ashtiani
|
Persepolis | |
| Akbar Kargarjam
|
Esteghlal | |
| Nasser Hejazi
|
Esteghlal | |
| Javad Zarrincheh
|
Esteghlal | |
| Behrouz Rahbarifar
|
Persepolis | |
| Vahid Amiri
|
Persepolis |
Goalkeeping
[edit]Most clean sheets
[edit]
| Player | Club(s) | Period | CS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mehdi Rahmati
|
Esteghlal | 2005–07, 2011–14, 2015–19 | 9 | 9 |
| Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh
|
Esteghlal Persepolis |
1990–93 1994–2001 |
3 5 |
8 |
| Alireza Beiranvand
|
Persepolis | 2016–20, 2022–24 | 7 | 7 |
| Nasser Hejazi
|
Esteghlal | 1969–75, 1980–86 | 5 | 5 |
| Vahid Ghelich
|
Persepolis | 1980–92 | 5 | 5 |
 Nilson
|
Persepolis | 2012–15 | 4 | 4 |
Most consecutive clean sheets
[edit]| Player | Club(s) | Consecutive matches | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh
|
Persepolis | 4 | 1995–96 Azadegan League (second leg) | 1998–99 Azadegan League (first leg) |
| Nilson
|
Persepolis | 4 | 2012–13 Persian Gulf Cup (first leg) | 2013–14 Persian Gulf Cup (second leg) |
| Mehdi Rahmati
|
Esteghlal | 4 | 2012–13 Persian Gulf Cup (first leg) | 2013–14 Persian Gulf Cup (second leg) |
Hat-tricks
[edit]
A hat-trick is achieved when the same player scores three goals in one match. Listed in chronological order.
| Sequence |
Player | No. of goals |
Time of goals | Representing | Final score |
Opponent | Tournament |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Homayoun Behzadi |
3 | 50', 86', 92' | Persepolis | 6–0 | Esteghlal | 13th derby |
| 2. |  Éamon Zayed |
3 | 82', 83', 92' | Persepolis | 3–2 | Esteghlal | 75th derby |
Braces
[edit]A Brace is achieved when the same player scores two goals in one match. Listed in chronological order.
| Sequence |
Player | No. of goals |
Time of goals | Representing | Final score |
Opponent | Tournament |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Hossein Kalani |
2 | 43', 90' | Persepolis | 4–1 | Esteghlal | 9th derby |
| 2. | Ali Jabbari |
2 | 40', 87' | Esteghlal | 2–0 | Persepolis | 11th derby |
| 3. | Iraj Soleimani |
2 | 45', 56' | Persepolis | 6–0 | Esteghlal | 13th derby |
| 4. | Gholam Hossein Mazloumi |
2 | 11', 62' | Esteghlal | 3–1 | Persepolis | 17th derby |
| 5. | Safar Iranpak |
2 | 15', 34' | Persepolis | 2–1 | Esteghlal | 22th derby |
| 6. | Shahrokh Bayani |
2 | 12', 52' | Persepolis | 3–0 | Esteghlal | 28th derby |
| 7. | Hadi Norouzi |
2 | 7', 46' | Persepolis | 2–2 | Esteghlal | 73th derby |
| 8. | Mojtaba Jabbari |
2 | 95', 99' | Esteghlal | 3–0 | Persepolis | 74th derby |
| 9. | Mehdi Taremi |
2 | 5', 35' | Persepolis | 4–2 | Esteghlal | 83th derby |
| 10. | Amir Arsalan Motahari |
2 | 24', 52' | Esteghlal | 2–2 | Persepolis | 92nd derby |
| 11. |  Giorgi Gvelesiani |
2 | 16', 89' | Persepolis | 2–2 | Esteghlal | 99th derby |
Most successful coaches in derbies
[edit]Friendly matches are not included in the following records unless otherwise noted.
| Rank | Head coach | Club | Matches | Win | Draw | Lost | Winning rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Zdravko Rajkov
|
Esteghlal | 15 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 40% |
| 2 | Mansour Pourheidari
|
Esteghlal | 18 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 33% |
| 3 | Ali Parvin
|
Persepolis | 26 | 6 | 14 | 6 | 23% |
| 4 |  Branko Ivanković
|
Persepolis | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 50% |
| 5 | Parviz Mazloumi
|
Esteghlal | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 50% |
| 6 |  Alan Rogers
|
Persepolis | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 50% |
| 7 | Yahya Golmohammadi
|
Persepolis | 12 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 25% |
| 8 | Amir Ghalenoei
|
Esteghlal | 14 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 21% |
| 9 |  Mustafa Denizli
|
Persepolis | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66% |
| 10 | Hamid Derakhshan
|
Persepolis | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 66% |
General performances
[edit]Trophies
[edit]
|
| Esteghlal | Competition | Persepolis |
|---|---|---|
| Regional | ||
| 13 | Tehran Province League | 6 |
| 4 | Tehran Province Hazfi Cup | 2 |
| — | Tehran Tournament | 1 |
| — | Espandi Cup | 1 |
| 1 | Tehran Super Cup | — |
| 18 | Aggregate | 10 |
| National | ||
| 9 | Iranian Leagues | 16 |
| 8 | Iranian Hazfi Cup | 7 |
| 1 | Iranian Super Cup | 5 |
| 1 | Iran Championship Cup | — |
| 19 | Aggregate | 28 |
| Continental | ||
| 2 | Asian Club Championship | — |
| — | Asian Cup Winners' Cup | 1 |
| 2 | Aggregate | 1 |
| 39 | Total aggregate | 39 |
General information
[edit]| Titles | Esteghlal | Persepolis |
|---|---|---|
| Club name after establishment | Docharkhe Savaran Sport Club | Persepolis Sport Club |
| Founding date | 26 September 1945 | Club: 22 November 1963 Football team: 21 March 1968 |
| Stadium | Azadi Stadium | |
| Capacity | 78,116 | |
| Number of seasons in Iranian Leagues | 41 (1 relegated) |
41 (1 withdrew due to national duties) |
| Most goals scored in a season in Iranian League | 70 (2008–09) | 56 (1971–72, 1998–99) |
| Most points in a season in Iranian League | 68 (2021–22) | 68 (2023–24) |
| National Double wins (Iranian League and Iranian Hazfi Cup) |
— | 3 |
| Regional Double wins (Tehran Province League and Tehran Hazfi Cup) |
1 | 2 |
| Domestic Combined Double Wins (National Competitions and Regional Competitions) |
2 | 1 |
| International/Domestic Double wins (Asian Cup Winners Cup and Tehran Province League) |
— | 1 |
| Domestic Combined Treble Wins (Iranian Hazfi Cup, Tehran League and Tehran Hazfi Cup) |
— | 1 |
| Most Consecutive Iranian League trophies | — | 5 times in a row (Glut) |
| Most Consecutive Iranian Hazfi Cup trophies | — | 2 times in a row (Brace) |
| Most Consecutive Tehran League trophies | 4 times in a row (Poker) | 5 times in a row (Glut) |
Awards
[edit]IFFHS award
[edit]The IFFHS Asian Player of the Year is an annual prize presented by International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS). It had originally been the predecessor of the AFC Player of the Year, but was revived in 2020.
| Award | Esteghlal | Persepolis |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 0 | 0 |
| 2nd | 0 | 1 |
| 3rd | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 2 | 1 |
AFC award
[edit]The AFC Player of the Year is an annual prize presented by Asian Football Confederation (AFC). It is awarded to the Asian player who has the best performance at AFC club(s) in a calendar year.
| Award | Esteghlal | Persepolis |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 0 | 0 |
| 2nd | 0 | 2 |
| 3rd | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 2 | 2 |
Best Footballer in Asia is an annual association football award organized and presented by Titan Sports. It is awarded to the player who had the best performance for Asian football during the calendar year.
| Award | Esteghlal | Persepolis |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 0 | 0 |
| 2nd | 0 | 0 |
| 3rd | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 0 | 1 |
Iranian Leagues performances awards
[edit]| Award | Esteghlal | Persepolis |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Boot | 7 | 10 |
Players who played for both clubs
[edit]Over the years, a number of players have played for both of the heavily supported clubs. Switching sides often angers fans, and players who have done so are heavily booed and mocked in and out of the stadium. When Mehdi Hasheminasab joined Esteghlal, Persepolis fans booed and swore at him so loudly that he covered his face with his hands to hide his tears.
|
|
|
|
Referees
[edit]IPL referees
[edit]
| Rank | Referees | Matches |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mohsen Torky |
7 |
| 2 | Alireza Faghani |
6 |
| 3 | Mooud Bonyadifar |
3 |
| Bijan Heydari
| ||
| 5 | Saeid Mozaffari Zadeh |
2 |
| Payam Heydari
| ||
| Vahid Kazemi
|
Other notable referees
[edit]
Gallery
[edit]
.jpg)
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Worlds Greatest Derbies". bigsoccer.com.
- ^ "World Soccers' 50 Greatest Derbies". groups.google.com.
- ^ "World Soccers' 50 Greatest Derbies". nnseek.com. Archived from the original on 2011-02-10.
- ^ "90tv.ir | وبسایت رسمی برنامه ۹۰ - روزنامه اسپانیایی: دربی تهران یکی از داغ ترین دربی های دنیا". Archived from the original on 2017-05-04.
- ^ YJC, خبرگزاری باشگاه خبرنگاران | آخرین اخبار ایران و جهان (July 1, 1398). "گل شهرآورد ۹۰ به نام بازیکن جوان پرسپولیس ثبت شد". fa.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
- The battle of Tehran FIFA
- "Football, blood and war" The Observer, 18 January 2004, accessed 11 October 2006
- "The Red 'Victors' and the 'Independent' Blues" FIFA Magazine, 31 October 2002, accessed 11 October 2006
- (in Persian) "59 بازی حاصل 37 سال رقابت سرخ و آبی"[permanent dead link] Fars News Agency, 8 March 2006, accessed 11 October 2006
- (in Persian) "پرسپوليس ، استقلال از نگاه آمار" Aftab Yazd, 8 March 2006, accessed 11 October 2006
- (in Persian) "در حاشيه ي بازيهاي سرخابي ازگذشته هاي دورتا امروز" Tebyan.net, 2 November 2005, accessed 11 October 2006
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tehran derby.
| History | |
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| Home Stadiums | |
| Training ground | |
| Other facilities | |
| Players | |
| Other teams |
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| Youth teams | |
| Related teams | |
| Media |
|
| Suppoters | |
| Rivalries | |
| Popular Culture |
|
Tehran Derby
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Club Backgrounds
Esteghlal F.C.
Esteghlal F.C. traces its origins to September 26, 1945, when it was established in Tehran as Docharkheh Savaran (The Cyclists), a multi-sport club initiated by military officers including an army general, initially emphasizing cycling before shifting focus to football.[6][7] In 1949, amid expansion and alignment with the Pahlavi monarchy's institutions, the club adopted the name Taj (Crown), symbolizing regal patronage and fostering ties to police and military entities that provided organizational backing and player recruitment.[8] This era positioned Taj as a pillar of organized football in Tehran, winning early provincial titles like the Tehran Hazfi Cup in 1947 and establishing dominance in local leagues through disciplined, state-supported development.[9] The 1979 Iranian Revolution prompted a swift rebranding in spring 1979, changing the name to Esteghlal (Independence) to excise monarchical associations and emphasize revolutionary self-reliance, while dissolving affiliated women's teams in line with emerging policies.[8][3] Post-revolution, Esteghlal sustained its prominence through tactical resilience and infrastructure access, securing continental success with Asian Club Championship victories in 1970 (as Taj) and 1991, alongside domestic hauls of nine Pro League titles (spanning 1970–71 to 2008–09) and eight Hazfi Cups, metrics underscoring periods of league hegemony in the 1970s, 1990s, and 2000s.[10][11] Esteghlal contests matches at Azadi Stadium, a 78,116-capacity venue in western Tehran inaugurated in 1971, which serves as its primary home ground despite shared usage with other Tehran clubs, enabling large-scale attendance that amplifies its institutional footprint in Iranian football.[12] The club's supporter base, historically linked to urban professionals and pre-revolutionary elites via Taj's establishment affiliations, has evolved into one of Iran's largest, with empirical turnout exceeding stadium limits in key fixtures, reflecting enduring appeal among Tehran's educated middle strata despite broader national diffusion.[3]Persepolis F.C.
Persepolis F.C. was established on October 19, 1963, by Ali Abdo, an Iranian boxer who had returned from the United States, as a successor to the dissolved Shahin F.C.; Shahin itself originated in 1949 under the backing of the Etela'at newspaper, fostering a populist identity tied to Tehran's working-class and broader public spheres during the Pahlavi era.[13][14] The club quickly ascended in local competitions, securing six Tehran Provincial League titles between 1963 and 1970, which reflected its appeal rooted in accessible, media-promoted origins contrasting with more state-institutional rivals.[15] Following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Persepolis faced dissolution risks as founder Abdo fled to the United States and club assets were seized by the new government, yet it persisted through temporary rebranding as Pirouzi F.C. before reverting to its original name, enabling continuity amid purges of pre-revolutionary elements.[16] The club has since amassed a record 16 Iranian top-tier league championships, including dominant runs in the Persian Gulf Pro League, alongside seven Hazfi Cups and five Super Cups, underpinning its institutional resilience and draw from diverse societal bases beyond elite structures.[15] Its red kits emerged as enduring cultural symbols of this mass-oriented identity, with popularity factors including early media ties that cultivated widespread loyalty independent of official patronage.[17] Persepolis commands Iran's largest fanbase, evidenced by average attendances exceeding 36,000 in domestic matches and records of over 100,000 spectators in four AFC Champions League fixtures, surpassing many continental peers.[18] Continentally, it has competed extensively in Asian Football Confederation events, clinching the 1990–91 Asian Cup Winners' Cup—the nation's sole such triumph—and reaching AFC Champions League finals in 2018 and 2020, highlighting sustained competitive depth.[15][19]Historical Development
Origins and Pre-Revolution Era
The Tehran Derby's origins trace to the mid-1960s amid the expansion of organized football in Tehran, where Taj Football Club—founded in 1958 as a rebranding of the earlier Darya club—and the newly established Persepolis Football Club in 1963 began competing in local tournaments. Taj, backed by military and elite affiliations, contrasted with Persepolis, which cultivated a mass following among working-class supporters, fostering an early class-based antagonism. The first official derby took place on April 5, 1968, in the Tehran Provincial League, concluding in a 0–0 draw that highlighted the competitive balance between the sides.[2][20] Early encounters in the late 1960s and early 1970s, primarily within the Tehran League structure, saw Taj maintain an edge through its established dominance in Iranian football, having secured multiple national titles since the 1950s. Persepolis secured its inaugural victory over Taj on November 15, 1972, with a 4–1 scoreline, marking a shift toward parity. A landmark result followed on September 6, 1973, in the inaugural Takht Jamshid National League season, where Persepolis routed Taj 6–0 at Aryamehr Stadium, drawing record attendances that underscored the fixture's rising fervor.[21][22] The rivalry intensified through the 1970s as Iran's modernization under the Pahlavi regime boosted football infrastructure, including the opening of Aryamehr Stadium in 1971, which hosted derbies with capacities exceeding 100,000. Local league formats, emphasizing Tehran derbies, amplified tensions, with matches often featuring heated disputes, such as the February 1970 game abandoned by Persepolis players protesting officiating while Taj led 1–0. These pre-revolution clashes established the derby's foundational intensity, rooted in institutional and social divides rather than later ideological shifts.[23][3]Post-1979 Revolution and Modern Evolution
Following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, both clubs underwent significant administrative changes under the new Islamic Republic's oversight. Esteghlal, previously known as Taj, was renamed Esteghlal—meaning "independence"—to align with revolutionary nomenclature, and placed under the control of the state's Physical Education Organization.[8] Persepolis was temporarily rebranded as Pirouzi ("victory") and its assets seized by the government, though its original name was later restored; it fell under separate state-affiliated management.[16][24] Despite these disruptions, including a brief hiatus in organized national competitions due to political upheaval, the rivalry endured through participation in provincial and emerging national leagues starting in the early 1980s, such as the Tehran Clubs League and Qods League by 1989.[3] The establishment of the Azadegan League in 1991 marked a shift toward more structured national play, with Persepolis securing five titles during the decade under coach Ali Parvin, including an unbeaten 1996–97 season that underscored its dominance amid the era's competitive field.[25] Esteghlal responded with periodic successes, such as its 1989–90 Qods League win, maintaining competitive balance. The transition to the professional Iran Pro League (IPL) in 2001–02 further institutionalized the derby, introducing a standardized schedule with two annual fixtures per season, alongside cup competitions, which increased match frequency and visibility despite Iran's geopolitical isolation limiting international exposure.[26][3] State-organized league frameworks, centralized under the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran, ensured consistent domestic rivalries like the Tehran Derby persisted, providing a rare outlet for public engagement in a sanctioned sports landscape where Asian Football Confederation participations offered limited crossovers but reinforced club prestige through continental qualifications. Persepolis extended its edge into the 2000s with multiple IPL titles, though Esteghlal's resurgences—bolstered by tactical adaptations—prevented prolonged hegemony, reflecting the rivalry's resilience through institutional continuity rather than external variables.[3][26]Rivalry Characteristics
Fan Culture and Match Atmosphere
The Tehran Derby matches are held at Azadi Stadium in Tehran, which has an official capacity of 78,116 following its conversion to an all-seater configuration.[27] However, derbies routinely exceed this limit, with crowds often surpassing 100,000 despite the stadium's design constraints, as fans seek entry through various means to witness the fixture.[1] [28] This overcrowding has prompted official concerns, including structural inspections revealing cracks in the stands and temporary bans on spectators due to safety deficiencies identified in 2023.[29] [30] Fan support manifests in visually striking displays, with Persepolis adherents in red attire and Esteghlal supporters in blue dominating sections of the venue, fostering a bifurcated stadium environment that underscores the rivalry's intensity.[28] Matches frequently sell out, drawing average attendances above 70,000 and peaking at 95,000 or more, as recorded in the 2011 derby where Esteghlal defeated Persepolis 2-0 before a reported 95,000 spectators.[31] Such figures reflect the event's draw, with pre-match gatherings amplifying excitement through team-specific chants and coordinated displays that heighten the auditory and visual spectacle.[32] The atmosphere is further intensified by national media coverage, which portrays the derby as a premier sporting occasion, often highlighting the electric tension from packed stands and rhythmic supporter responses during play.[5] While formalized ultras groups akin to European models are limited in Iran, dedicated fan collectives for Persepolis and Esteghlal organize chants and visual elements, contributing to the match's reputation for unrelenting pressure on players.[33] Historical perceptions of fan bases—Persepolis linked to working-class roots and Esteghlal to more affluent origins—persist in supporter narratives, though empirical divides in attendance demographics remain undocumented in official data.[23] Pyrotechnics and elaborate pre-match rituals are curtailed by regulations, yet the sheer volume of participants ensures a cauldron-like intensity, with echoes of cheers reverberating across the city.[32]Social and Cultural Dimensions
The Tehran Derby encapsulates socioeconomic fault lines in Iranian urban society, with Persepolis F.C. widely perceived as the club of the working class and everyday Tehranis, drawing support from broader demographic strata including migrants and lower-income groups, while Esteghlal F.C. is linked to middle-class professionals and historical ties to pre-revolutionary establishment networks.[34][3] This divide, rooted in club formations—Persepolis from the dissolved Shahin F.C. with its populist base versus Esteghlal's evolution from Daraei—reflects causal demographic patterns in Tehran's heterogeneous population, where class affiliations influence fan loyalty amid rapid urbanization post-1979.[35] However, such characterizations are perceptual rather than rigidly empirical, as both clubs exhibit overlapping support bases driven by geographic proximity and shared national fervor, debunking overly ideological narratives in favor of economic accessibility as a primary draw. Culturally, the derby functions as a linchpin of Persian collective identity, embedding itself in media portrayals and everyday discourse as a symbol of communal resilience, with matches often framed in news coverage through lenses of social and ideological undercurrents that reinforce national narratives of unity amid diversity.[36] It influences youth engagement, where football's prominence—evident in Iran's youth demographic comprising over 60% under age 30—channels aspirations for participation and escapism, though state controls limit organized youth programs tied directly to the rivalry.[37] The event's ritualistic intensity, dividing families and neighborhoods, underscores causal tensions in social cohesion, yet empirical attendance trends reveal it as a pressure valve for broader societal energies rather than a pure ideological flashpoint, with economic constraints on entertainment options amplifying turnout over partisan zeal.[23] Attendance data substantiates the derby's macro role, routinely surpassing 70,000 spectators at Azadi Stadium pre-pandemic restrictions, with peaks near 100,000 reflecting not romanticized tribalism but pragmatic mobilization around affordable public spectacle in a media landscape dominated by state broadcasters.[28][1] Limited verifiable TV viewership metrics exist due to opaque reporting, but spikes in national discourse during derbies—coupled with recent allowances for small female contingents (e.g., 3,000 women in December 2023)—indicate heightened engagement that fosters transient social bonding while exposing gender and access disparities inherent to Iran's regulatory framework.[38] These patterns prioritize causal realism: the rivalry's endurance ties to demographic scale and media amplification, tempering claims of transcendent cultural mythos with evidence of attendance variability linked to economic cycles and stadium logistics over immutable societal rifts.[39]Key Matches
Landmark Historical Derbies
One of the earliest landmark encounters in the Tehran Derby took place on February 6, 1970, when Taj (Esteghlal's predecessor) defeated Persepolis 3-0 after Persepolis players walked off the pitch in the 82nd minute, protesting perceived referee bias in a 0-1 scoreline. This incident highlighted the intense competitive stakes and emotional volatility of the fixture from its formative years, contributing to the rivalry's reputation for drama and occasional disruptions.[40] The most decisive pre-2015 derby in terms of margin occurred on September 7, 1973, with Persepolis routing Esteghlal 6-0 at Aryamehr Stadium (now Azadi), establishing the largest victory in rivalry history and exemplifying Persepolis' dominance during the 1970s Tehran leagues. Goals from players including captain Ali Parvin and forward Gholam Hossein Mazloumi underscored the offensive disparity, a result that Persepolis fans reference to assert historical superiority and which Esteghlal supporters enduringly deride as the "shish taei" (six-zero) humiliation. This blowout not only influenced league standings but reinforced fan expectations of high-scoring, pivotal clashes capable of shifting seasonal momentum.[41][42][5] In the post-revolution 1980s and 1990s, derbies frequently carried title-deciding weight, such as those in the Qods and Tehran Provincial Leagues where outcomes directly affected national qualification; for instance, Esteghlal's narrow victories in key 1989-90 fixtures balanced the ledger against Persepolis' earlier hauls, fostering reciprocal morale boosts ahead of Asian competitions like the AFC Champions' League precursors. These matches, often drawing over 100,000 spectators, empirically shaped the clubs' alternating periods of supremacy and heightened the cultural significance of derby results in broader Iranian football hierarchies.[43]Recent Encounters (2015–2025)
From 2015 to 2025, the Tehran Derby featured 24 competitive encounters across the Persian Gulf Pro League and domestic cups, marked by a pronounced trend toward draws that often influenced league standings and title races. In the most recent 23 meetings tracked, Persepolis recorded 9 victories, Esteghlal 2, and 12 draws, reflecting defensive solidity and low-scoring affairs typical of the fixture's intensity.[44] This pattern persisted amid Persepolis' dominance in the league during stretches like 2018–2020, where unbeaten derby outcomes—including wins and stalemates—helped secure three consecutive titles by maintaining crucial points differentials against rivals.[45] The 2024/25 season introduced Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology to the Persian Gulf Pro League for the first time, amid ongoing implementation challenges such as technical glitches and sanction-related delays, potentially altering decision-making in tight derbies.[46][47] Persepolis capitalized with back-to-back wins: a 1–0 away victory over Esteghlal on September 25, 2024, sealed by Hossein Kanaani-Zadegan's 89th-minute header, followed by a 2–1 home triumph on February 27, 2025, boosting their third-place position while Esteghlal languished in seventh.[48][49] These narrow results, absent postponements, underscored Persepolis' tactical edge in endgame scenarios and contributed to their push in the title contention.[50] Earlier highlights included cup clashes, such as Esteghlal's 1–0 win in the 2023 Hazfi Cup final on May 31, 2023, denying Persepolis a domestic double, though league derbies remained draw-heavy, with no team decisively pulling ahead until recent shifts.[51] The period's outcomes, verified through league records, highlight how derbies frequently decided seasonal momentum without prolific scoring, averaging under two goals per match in league fixtures.[52]Statistical Overview
Head-to-Head Results
As of the most recent comprehensive records from Transfermarkt, Esteghlal and Persepolis have contested 98 official competitive matches in the Tehran Derby, with Persepolis recording 30 wins, Esteghlal 25 wins, and 43 draws.[53] Persepolis has netted 107 goals compared to Esteghlal's 102, yielding a narrow goal differential of +5 in Persepolis's favor and an average of approximately 2.13 goals per match.[53] These figures encompass encounters across major competitions, predominantly the Persian Gulf Pro League, alongside select Hazfi Cup ties, Iran Super Cup clashes, and earlier provincial leagues.| Category | Persepolis Wins | Esteghlal Wins | Draws | Persepolis Goals | Esteghlal Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall (98 matches) | 30 | 25 | 43 | 107 | 102 |