Iranian Football League
Encyclopedia
History
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1970–71 Local League 1970–71 - Group A :- Group B :-Semifinals :*awarded 3-0, abandoned at 1-1 in 80' when Perspolis walked off-Final:... |
Taj |
| 1971–72 Local League 1971–72 -Results:-Top goalscorers:-See also:... |
Persepolis |
Pre-1970s
Before the early 1970s Iran did not have an official national league. Most teams would participate in city championships. TajEsteghlal
Esteghlal is an Arabic word means independence. the name held by many Iranian football clubs and Armenian football clubs. This includes:*Esteghlal F.C.— Iranian football club*Esteghlal Ahvaz F.C...
1 and Persepolis2 had become the two most popular teams in the mid 60s and continue to be in the present. Pas Tehran, Shahin, Taj, Daraei F.C.
Daraei F.C.
Daraei F.C. is an Iranian football club based in Tehran, Iran.The club has a long and rich history. It used to be one of Iran's most dominant and powerful football clubs competing with fierce rivals Shahin F.C. and Taj F.C. throughout the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s...
, all won championships in the Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
local league, during this period.
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1973-74 Takht Jamshid Cup 1973-74 -Results:-Top goalscorers:... |
Persepolis |
| 1974-75 Takht Jamshid Cup 1974-75 -Results:-Top goalscorers:... |
Taj |
| 1975-76 Takht Jamshid Cup 1975-76 -Results:-Top goalscorers:... |
Persepolis |
| 1976-77 Takht Jamshid Cup 1976-77 -Results:-Top goalscorers:... |
Pas Tehran |
| 1977-78 Takht Jamshid Cup 1977-78 -Results:-Top goalscorers:... |
Pas Tehran |
Takht Jamshid Cup
In 1972, the Takht Jamshid CupTakht Jamshid Cup
The Takht Jamshid Cup was a national football league based in Iran which lasted from 1973 to 1978.-History:In early 70s Iran, football had become a very popular sport and several local leagues existed in various cities. Eventually the football federation of the time decided that a national league...
was created. It was designed to include teams from all over the country, but as usual teams from Tehran dominated, mostly Pas Tehran And Persepolis F.C. winning the final two. The league was in place until the Iranian Revolution
Iranian Revolution
The Iranian Revolution refers to events involving the overthrow of Iran's monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and its replacement with an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the...
took place, and the 1978 season was left uncompleted.
1980s
Due to the revolution and the Iran–Iraq War, football was no longer a priority. Clubs had very little money and due to| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1989-90 | Esteghlal |
political reasons team names, management and resources were changed. There was no major league competition during the 1980-89 period, only a few cup competitions and some local city league championships such as the 17th of Shahrivar league
17th of Shahrivar league
The following is the final results of the 17th of Shahrivar league's 1988/89 football season.-Results:-Top goalscorers:16 Goals Farshad Pious 8 Goals Samad Marfavi Mohammad Falahati...
and the Qods Cup.In 1985, the Qods League was created which was played among province teams (e.g. Tehran, Esfehan, Azarbaijan Sharghi, etc.). Tehran had two teams (Tehran A and Tehran B). Tehran A won Qods league in 1985 and 1988, whereas Esfahan won it in 1986 and 1987. The most important competition in 80's is Tehran Clubs Cup (league).Persepolis F.C. has most championships in that cup.
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1991-92 Azadegan League 1991-92 ----* Azadegan League champions : Pas Tehran* Relegated:Sepahan, Esteghlal Rasht* Promoted:Keshavarz, Sanat Naft, Vahdat Sari, Bargh Shiraz, Polyacryl, Sepirud Rasht... |
Pas Tehran |
| 1992-93 Azadegan League 1992-93 The final results of the 1992/1993 Azadegan League, Iran's top division league, are listed bellow.-First round:Group AGroup B-Second round:The final standings of the 1992/1993 Azadegan League, *1.Pas Tehran... |
Pas Tehran |
| 1993-94 Azadegan League 1993-94 ----* Iranian Football Champions: Saipa* Relegated teams : _* Promoted teams :Esteghlal, Machine Sazi, Shahdari Sari, Naft Ghaemshahr, Bank Tejarat, Payam Gach Khorasan, Pars Khodro, Ararat, Qods Sari, Shahin Bushehr... |
Saipa |
| 1994-95 Azadegan League 1994-95 -First Round:Group AGroup B*Semi-Final1)2)- Final :-Notes:* Azadegan League champions : Saipa F.C.* Relegated teams : Shahin Bushehr , Qods Sari , Nassaji Mazandaran , Teraktor Sazi , Zob Ahan, Sanat Naft, Pars Khodro , Payam Gach Khorasan, Bank Tejarat, Chooka Talesh, Naft... |
Saipa |
| 1995-96 | Persepolis |
| 1996-97 | Persepolis |
| 1997-98 | Esteghlal |
| 1998-99 | Persepolis |
| 1999-2000 | Persepolis |
| 2000-01 | Esteghlal |
In 1989 and after the end of war, it was decided to change Qods league format so that it was played among clubs rather than provinces. Thus the fifth Qods league, which was the last one, was played among 22 teams, in two groups of 11. This was the first National league after revolution. Esteghlal won this league (89-90) by beating Perspolis 2-1 in the final match. Esteghlal also won the last Tehran league in which Perspolis and Esteghlal played in 91-92 season. Since then, Esteghlal and Perspolis have only played in the national league, and not in the Tehran league.
Azadegan League
In 1991 the Qods league was renamed the Azadegan League.Named the Azadegan League in honor of Iranian prisoners of war who were released, it began operations in the 1991-92 season. Pas Tehran was its first champion. For the first time in more than ten years Iran finally had a national league again. The number of teams playing in the league varied from year to year. Pas Tehran and Saipa
Saipa FC
Saipa Alborz Football Club is a football team based in Karaj, Alborz Province, Iran. The team is owned by SAIPA, an Iranian automobile manufacturer. The team has never had a large fanbase, despite some success. It is known to have one of the best youth training programs in Iranian football.Saipa F.C...
dominated the league in the first four years. Pas Tehran and Esteghlal both were able to capture Asian Club Championships
AFC Champions League
The AFC Champions League is the premier Asian club football competition hosted annually by Asian Football Confederation . The tournament is contested among the top thirty-two clubs from the top 10 Asian leagues, two of which must qualify through the playoffs...
in the early 1990s And Persepolis F.C.
Persepolis
Perspolis was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire . Persepolis is situated northeast of the modern city of Shiraz in the Fars Province of modern Iran. In contemporary Persian, the site is known as Takht-e Jamshid...
celebrates his championship in Asian Cup Winners Cup. By the mid-90s Persepolis and Esteghlal regained their dominant form. The league championship every year between 1995-2001 was either Esteghlal
Esteghlal
Esteghlal is an Arabic word means independence. the name held by many Iranian football clubs and Armenian football clubs. This includes:*Esteghlal F.C.— Iranian football club*Esteghlal Ahvaz F.C...
or Persepolis
Persepolis
Perspolis was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire . Persepolis is situated northeast of the modern city of Shiraz in the Fars Province of modern Iran. In contemporary Persian, the site is known as Takht-e Jamshid...
. The two clubs always had the most talented players in Iran, the national team consisted mainly of Persepolis and Esteghlal players, and some of the greatest talents Iranian football has seen were discovered during this period. In those years Persepolis captured 4 championships and esteghlal could only capture two.
Iran Pro League
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2001–02 | Persepolis |
| 2002–03 | Sepahan |
| 2003–04 | Pas Tehran |
| 2004–05 | Foolad |
| 2005–06 | Esteghlal |
| 2006–07 | Saipa |
| 2007–08 | Persepolis |
| 2008–09 | Esteghlal |
| 2009–10 2009–10 Persian Gulf Cup The 2009–10 Persian Gulf Cup began on August 8, 2009 and ended on May 19, 2010. This was the ninth Iran Pro League season since its establishment... |
Sepahan |
| 2010–11 2010–11 Persian Gulf Cup The 2010–11 Persian Gulf Cup was the tenth season of the Iran Pro League and the fifth under the name Persian Gulf Cup. It began on 26 July 2010 and ended on 20 May 2011. Sepahan, the defending champion, repeated their title in this season... |
Sepahan |
The 2001-2002
IPL 2001/02
The following is the standings of the Persian Gulf Cup's 2001–02 football season. This was the first season since the establishment of the Iran Pro League . Persepolis F.C...
season saw the beginning of the first professional football league in Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
. Unfortunately many say that the new league is professional in name only and is missing many of the required components of a pro league. Player salaries have risen significantly and other positives in the league are the emergence of provincial teams and raw talent which every IPL team boasts. Teams like Foolad Sepahan
Sepahan
Sepahan Esfahan is an Iranian football club based in Isfahan, Iran. They compete in Iran's top flight known as Persian Gulf League and hold most of the records in the PGL under their belt. Sepahan are the latest champions of the PGL in 2010–11 season for the record third time in the ten-year PGL...
, Foolad Khouzestan
Foolad FC
Foolad Khuzestan Football Club is an Iranian football club, based in Ahvaz, Khuzestan. It was named Foolad partially because it is funded by the industry in Khuzestan...
, Zob Ahan FC
Zob Ahan FC
Zob Ahan Football Club is an Iranian football club based in Isfahan, Iran. They compete in the Iran Pro League.The team is sponsored by the Isfahan Steel Company, which also goes by the name Zob Ahan. The club's main rival is fellow Isfahani team Sepahan, which is also sponsored by the rival steel...
and Esteghlal Ahvaz
Esteghlal Ahvaz
Esteghlal Ahvaz Football Club is an Iranian football club based in Ahvaz, Iran.They currently compete in the 2011–12 Iran Football's 2nd Division.-Establishment:...
have all shown they can compete, even though they are not based in Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
. The league can only continue to get better, and many are hoping this league will help Iran's football, in terms of quality and reputation improve.
Persian Gulf Cup
On August 12, 2006, the Iranian Football Federation decided to change the name of the league once again. The name of the league now is the Persian GulfPersian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
Cup. This was done to promote the name of the Persian Gulf, instead of the many variations which some nations and organizations use which Iran claims are incorrect
Persian Gulf naming dispute
The name of the body of water separating the Arabian Peninsula from the Iranian plateau, historically and internationally known as the Persian Gulf after the land of Persia , has been disputed by some Arab countries since the 1960s...
. The league logo was also changed, with the winner being selected from over 130 designs and unveiled on November 14, 2006.
They continued to get better steady and slowly which made many people criticise that the league is sometimes stepping backwards. Saipa was the 6th team to win the 6th new edition of the league which meant 6 different teams won 6 leagues in the row. But in 2008 Persepolis regained the title after 6 years by the dramatic win again the rival Sepahan on the 96th minute of the final match and become the first team that won two titles in the new edition of the Iranian League. The next season Esteghlal did the same thing and won the league for second time on the final matchday.
Notes
1. Taj changed its name to Esteghlal in 1979.
2. Shahin
Shahin F.C.
Shahin Tehran Football Club was an Iranian football club based in Tehran, Iran that existed until the early 1990s. Shahin A.C. is located at Narmak, Golestan Street. They currently compete in the 2011–12 Iran Football's 3rd Division.-History:...
changed its name to Persepolis in 1968, which in turn changed to Piroozi in 1986; but the 'old' name Persepolis is still used in preference to Piroozi in Iran.
3. Azadegan League is now the name of the 2nd highest division in Iran, only the IPL is higher.
Total Championships
The number of national championships that clubs in Iran have attained. (Since 1973)| Club |
Winner |
Runner Up |
|---|---|---|
| Persepolis | 9 | 7 |
| Esteghlal | 7 | 8 |
| Pas Tehran | 5 | 5 |
| Sepahan | 3 | 1 |
| Saipa | 3 | 0 |
| Foolad | 1 | 0 |
| Zob Ahan | 0 | 3 |
| Bahman Bahman F.C. Bahman Karaj Football Club was an Iranian football club based in Karaj, Iran. In 1993, the rights and licenses of two football clubs Vahdat F.C. and Bank Sepah F.C. were purchased and Bahman F.C. entered the league. In the early years, the bulk of players were from Pas Tehran F.C... |
0 | 2 |
| Esteghlal Ahvaz Esteghlal Ahvaz Esteghlal Ahvaz Football Club is an Iranian football club based in Ahvaz, Iran.They currently compete in the 2011–12 Iran Football's 2nd Division.-Establishment:... |
0 | 1 |
All-time League top scorers
last update: May 21, 2011| No. | Player | Goals | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Arash BorhaniArash Borhani Arash Borhani is an Iranian football player who currently plays for Esteghlal in Iran's Premier Football League and is a member of Iran national football team.... |
89 | 2002-2006, 2007-Present |
| 2 | Reza Enayati Reza Enayati Gholamreza Enayati is an Iranian football player who currently plays for Saba Qom in Iran Pro League and former member of Iran national football team. He usually plays the striker position.-Club career:... |
87 | 2001-2006, 2009-Present |
| 3 | Fereydoon Fazli Fereydoon Fazli Fereydoon Fazli, is a former professional football player who played for Nassaji Mazandaran in Azadegan League before retiring from playing football. He usually plays in the striker position. He is one of the most successful strikers in the Iran Pro League.... |
85 | 2001-2002, 2003-2010 |
| 4 | Edmond Bezik Edmond Bezik Edmond Bezik is an Armenian-Iranian footballer. He was played for Persepolis, Sepahan and Ararat Tehran and was a member of Iran national football team.-Club career:... |
84 | 1994-2006 |
| 5 | Ali Asghar Modirroosta |
80 | 1991-2003 |
| 6 | Ali Daei Ali Daei Ali Daei is an Iranian retired football player and former national team coach who currently manages a local Iranian team, Rah Ahan. He is a former captain of the Iran national football team, and is the world's all-time leading goalscorer in international matches... |
72 | 1994-1996, 2003-2007 |
| 7 | Mehdi Rajabzadeh Mehdi Rajabzadeh Mehdi Rajabzadeh is an Iranian football player, currently playing for Fajr Sepasi in Iran Pro League.-Club career:Rajabzadeh started his career at Fajr Sepasi where he impressed enough to be transferred to Zob Ahan FC in 2003... |
68 | 2001-2007, 2009-Present |
| Rasoul Khatibi Rasoul Khatibi Rasoul Khatibi is an Iranian football player–Manager currently playing and Managing Machine Sazi Tabriz. He is a former member of the Iranian national team.-Club career:... |
68 | 1997-1999, 2000-2006, 2009-2010 | |
| 9 | Reza Sahebi Reza Sahebi -Club career:He played for Payam Mashhad from 1989-1997 before joining F.C. Zob Ahan where he played from 1997-2003. In 2003 he returned to his former club Payam Mashhad. Reza Sahebi is notably known as Top goal scorer of Iranian Football League during season 2000/01 where he scored 14 goals for... |
67 | 1989-2003 |
| 10 | Gholam Hossein Mazloumi |
63 | 1971-1979 |
| 11 | Mohsen Garousi Mohsen Garousi Mohsen Garousi , born 28 November 1968 is a retired Iranian football player and manager. Following his playing career, he coached Shahab Zanjan F.C. and served as the assistant of Farhad Kazemi at Paykan F.C.. He was later appointed by Ekbatan F.C... |
61 | 1989-2002 |
 Emad MohammedEmad Mohammed Emad Mohammed Ridha is an Iraqi football striker who currently plays for Sepahan in Iran Pro League and the Iraq national football team. Emad Mohammed has been a regular starter for Iraq ever since he played for the youth national team... |
61 | 2005-Present | |
| 13 |  Ibrahima TouréIbrahima Touré Ibrahima Touré is a Senegalese footballer. He currently plays for United Arab Emirati football club Ajman Club.-Club career:... |
60 | 2007-2011 |
| 14 | Siavash Akbarpour Siavash Akbarpour Siavash Akbarpour is an Iranian football player who currently plays for Tractor Sazi F.C. in the IPL and the Iran national football team. He usually plays in the striker position.-Club career:... |
59 | 2004-2007, 2008-Present |
| Behnam Seraj Behnam Seraj Behnam Seraj is a retired Iranian football player who previously played for the Iran national football team. He was one of the most successful strikers in the Iran Pro League.-References:... |
59 | 1996-2004 | |
| Faraz Fatemi Faraz Fatemi Faraz Fatemi is an Iranian footballer who currently plays for Mes in the Iranian Premier League.-Club career:He has played for a few clubs in Iran, including F.C. Fajr Sepasi, Esteghlal F.C. and F.C. Zob Ahan, as well as Egaleo F.C. in the Greek Beta Ethniki... |
59 | 1997-1999, 2000-Present | |
| 17 | Mohammad Momeni Mohammad Momeni Mohammad Momeni is a retired Iranian professional footballer who played during most of his career for Saipa.-Club career:Momeni was the Iranian top division's top scorer with 19 goals during the 1995–96 season... |
58 | 1989-2003 |
| Hossein Khatibi |
58 | 1991-2000 | |
| 19 | Mohsen Bayatinia |
56 | 2001-Present |
| 20 | Alireza Vahedi Nikbakht Alireza Vahedi Nikbakht Alireza Vahedi Nikbakht is an Iranian professional football player.-Club career:Starting out in F.C. Aboomoslem and then being transferred to Esteghlal F.C., he improved in a short period of time... |
55 | 1998-Present |
| 21 | Hadi Asqari |
52 | 2005-Present |
| Farshad Pious Farshad Pious Farshad Pious is a retired Iranian football player who was a striker for a number of clubs in Iran, most notably Persepolis F.C., as well as Iran national football team.-Club career:... |
52 | 1989-1997 | |
| Bahman Tahmasebi Bahman Tahmasebi Bahman Tahmasebi is an Iranian football striker who currently plays for Naft Tehran in Iran's Premier Football League.-Club career:Tahmasebi appeared in Irsotter where he moved to Esteghlal half way through his first season, scoring few goals. He moved back to Fajr and stayed for one season and... |
52 | 1999-2005, 2006-Present | |
| 24 | Samad Marfavi Samad Marfavi Abdolsamad Marfavi is an Iranian football coach, manager, and former player.-Club career:He played his whole player career for IPL giants Esteghlal.-International career:... |
51 | 1989-1998 |
| 25 | Davoud Haghi |
50 | 2003-Present |
| Iman Razaghirad Iman Razaghirad Iman Razaghirad is an Iranian Football player who currently plays for Rah Ahan of the Iran Pro League.-Club career:In 2009, Razaghirad joined Paykan F.C... |
50 | 2001-2006, 2009-Present | |
| Mohammad Gholami Mohammad Gholami Mohammad Gholami is an Iranian football player. He currently plays for Damash Gilan. He usually plays in the Striker position.-Club career:He began his professional career in Malavan football club. He is a very serious and committed player who showed consistent and impressive displays for Malavan... |
50 | 2001-2003, 2004-Present | |
| Includes when Azadegan League and Takht Jamshid Cup Takht Jamshid Cup The Takht Jamshid Cup was a national football league based in Iran which lasted from 1973 to 1978.-History:In early 70s Iran, football had become a very popular sport and several local leagues existed in various cities. Eventually the football federation of the time decided that a national league... were Top Division |
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Players in bold are still active in the league.
External links
- List of Iranian football clubs in 2009–10 season
- List of Iranian football clubs in 2010–11 season
- List of Iranian football clubs in 2011–12 season