Iranian football league system

The Iranian football league system is a series of interconnected leagues for football clubs in Iran.

Structure

The current structure has been in place since 2001. The Iran Premier League (IPL) is the highest level of club football in Iran. It is also called the Persian Gulf Cup. Below it is the Azadegan League, also known as the 1st division, which consists of one twenty-team group. One level further down from that is the 2nd division which is made up of 40 teams evenly distributed into four groups. One step down, and the final nationwide league, is the 3rd division. This level has five groups and 60 teams. Each groups contains teams that are located in the same area of the nation. The final level of the football system consists of 31 provincial leagues. Local teams from each province participate in these leagues, and some of the leagues are divided into further divisions.

The system works with a promotion-relegation system, meaning that a team from the lowest level of the system can make it to the top level after a number of years. The number of teams in each league often changes from season to season, due to the lack of any professional management in the lower levels of the system. Currently the IPL is the only league that is considered professional, despite many of its rules about club facilities and management being broken. It is not uncommon for teams in the lower levels of the system to change team names because of sponsorship issues or for teams to completely withdraw from a competition.

The top four levels of the system are managed by the Iranian football federation, while the bottom level leagues are managed by their respective provincial football committee.

Before 1970

Before the 1970s, Iran did not have an official national football league. Most clubs participated in championships of their city or province. Therefore the champion of the Tehran Premier League was seen as the Iranian football champion. Due to their achievements in the Tehran Premier League, Shahin Tehran and Taj, today known as Esteghlal, were the most popular teams at this time. Also Daraei and PAS Tehran were successful clubs in Tehran's own league.[1]

Local League

Local League champions
Season Champions Runners-up
1970–71 Taj PAS Tehran
1971–72 Persepolis PAS Tehran

In 1970, the Local League was created.[2] For the first time, the league comprised also teams from many other cities and provinces including Sepahan from Isfahan and East Azerbaijan's famous club Tractor Sazi.[3] The first recognized Iranian football champion was Taj after beating PAS Tehran 2–1 in the final of the 1970–71 Local League.[4][5][6][3] The incidents of the semi-final between Taj and Persepolis are also of great importance for the rivalry between both clubs.[4][7][6] The second and last edition of the Local League was won by Persepolis.[8][4][9]

Takht Jamshid Cup

Takht Jamshid Cup champions
Season Champions Runners-up
1973–74 Persepolis Taj
1974–75 Taj Persepolis
1975–76 Persepolis Homa
1976–77 PAS Tehran Persepolis
1977–78 PAS Tehran Persepolis

In 1972, the Takht Jamshid Cup was founded as the national league and included teams from all over the country. The Iranian Football Federation had decided to create a league similar to European football leagues. The league was named after Jamshid, a mythological figure of Greater Iranian culture and tradition. The Takht Jamshid Cup comprised twelve clubs in the 1973–74 season. Persepolis became the first champions of the Takht Jamshid Cup, two points ahead of rival Taj.[10][11]

Before the beginning of the 1974–75 season, the number of teams were increased from twelve to 16 teams. Esteghlal claimed its first Takht Jamshid Cup title after winning the league ahead of Persepolis.[12] The 1975–76 Takht Jamshid Cup was won by Persepolis with a great performance by Iranian football legend Ali Parvin.[13] The second place team was another Tehran based club, Homa.[14] The next two seasons were won by PAS Tehran under coach Hassan Habibi.[15][16] PAS Tehran won their championships both times ahead of Persepolis.[17][18] At this time the Takht Jamshid Cup was one of the strongest football leagues in Asia. The Iran national football team won in 1976 their third successive AFC Asian Cup and qualified 1978 for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in the country's history.

The 1978–79 Takht Jamshid Cup season was abandoned due to the 1979 Revolution. Shahbaz was leading the league after twelve matchdays ahead of Persepolis and Taj.[19][20][21]

1979 Revolution and 1980s

Due to the Islamic Revolution and the Iran–Iraq War, the Takht Jamshid Cup was dissolved and also the lower leagues were unorganized. Once again the champion of the Tehran Province League was seen as the Iranian football champion. The league was dominated by Persepolis with five titles and Esteghlal with two championships. In 1987 the 17th of Shahrivar league was created with mainly teams from Tehran, but also with clubs from some others cities. The league was won by Persepolis ahead of Daraei.[22] Due to the fact that the league was part of the Tehran Province League, Persepolis' title is today not accepted as a national championship.

Qods League

Qods League champions
Season Champions Runners-up
1989–90 Esteghlal Persepolis

In 1989 the Qods League was formed as the national Iranian football league. The first official Iranian football champion since the revolution was Esteghlal. After only one season the Qods League was abolished.[23]

Azadegan League

Azadegan League champions
Season Champions Runners-up
1991–92 PAS Tehran Esteghlal
1992–93 PAS Tehran Persepolis
1993–94 Saipa Persepolis
1994–95 Saipa Esteghlal
1995–96 Persepolis Bahman
1996–97 Persepolis Bahman
1997–98 Esteghlal PAS Tehran
1998–99 Persepolis Esteghlal
1999–00 Persepolis Esteghlal
2000–01 Esteghlal Persepolis

In 1991 the Azadegan League was formed as the top flight of Iranian football. The league was named as Azadegan League in honor of the Iranian prisoners of war who were released. Azadegan means the liberated in Persian. The league started with a format of 12 teams in the first season. In the 1992–93 Azadegan League season the league changed its format. 16 clubs participated in two groups of eight teams. PAS Tehran were the champions in both seasons.[23] Esteghlal relegated for the first time in their history in 1993. Before the start of the 1993–94 season, the league changed its format again. 14 teams participated in one group. Saipa won the Azadegan League title, sitting three points of runners-up Persepolis. Only one year later the league format was changed again. 24 clubs participated in two groups of 12 teams. Saipa defended their title in final against Esteghlal.

Prior to the start of the 1995–96 Azadegan League season, the league changed its format again.[24] 16 teams participated in one group until 1999. Persepolis were the champions in 1995–96[24], 1996–97[25] and 1998–99[26], while Esteghlal became the champion in the 1997–98 season.[27] In 1999 the league was reduced to 14 teams. Persepolis won the 1999–2000 Azadegan League season, sitting seven points clear of rival Esteghlal.[28] The 2000–01 season was the last year of the Azadegan League as the top-level football league of Iran. Esteghlal became the champion in a league of 12 teams.[29]

Iran Pro League

Pro League champions
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 Sepahan
2010–11 Sepahan
2011–12 Sepahan
2012–13 Esteghlal
2013–14 Foolad
2014–15 Sepahan
2015–16 Esteghlal Khuzestan
2016–17 Persepolis
2017–18 Persepolis

The 2001–2002 season saw the beginning of the first professional football league in Iran. 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, Foolad Khouzestan, Zob Ahan FC and Esteghlal Ahvaz have all shown they can compete, even though they are not based in Tehran. The league can only continue to get better, and many are hoping this league will help Iran's football, in terms of improving quality and reputation.

On 12 August 2006, the Iranian Football Federation decided to change the name of the league once again. The name of the league was initially the Persian Gulf Cup which later changed to the current name Persian Gulf Pro League.[30] 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. The league logo was also changed, with the winner being selected from over 130 designs and unveiled on 14 November 2006.[31] They continued to get better steady and slowly which made many people criticize 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. Then, Sepahan dominated the league by winning the title in three consecutive seasons. Currently Sepahan holds the Iran Pro League title record with four previous titles and they recently added a fifth to their trophy case with the 2014–15 season championship.

Notes
1. Taj changed its name to Esteghlal in 1979.
2. Shahin 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.

Championships

The number of national championships attained by football clubs in Iran since 1970. Not all championships were truly national during the period (1979–1991) with some involving only teams from the capital city, Tehran.

Clubs
Winners
Runners-up
Persepolis119
Esteghlal89
Pas Tehran55
Sepahan51
Saipa30
Foolad20
Esteghlal Khuzestan10
Zob Ahan03
Tractor Sazi03
Bahman02
Homa01
Esteghlal Ahvaz01

Current system

Men's

Level League/Division(s)
1 Persian Gulf Pro League
16 clubs
2 Azadegan League
18 clubs
3 2nd Division
Group 1
13 clubs		 2nd Division
Group 2
13 clubs
4 3rd Division
Group 1
12 clubs		 3rd Division
Group 2
12 clubs		 3rd Division
Group 3
12 clubs		 3rd Division
Group 4
12 clubs		 3rd Division
Group 5
12 clubs
5 Provincial Leagues
Alborz Province League, Ardabil Provincial League, Bushehr Province League, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province League, East Azarbaijan Province League, Esfahan Province League, Fars Province League, Gilan Province League, Golestan Province League, Hamadan Province League, Hormozgan Province League, Ilam Province League, Kerman Province League, Kermanshah Province League, Khuzestan Province League, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province League, Kordestan Province League, Lorestan Province League, Markazi Province League, Mazandaran Province League, North Khorasan Province League, Qazvin Province League, Qom Province League, Razavi Khorasan Province League, Semnan Province League, Sistan and Baluchestan Province League, South Khorasan Province League, Tehran Province League, West Azarbaijan Province League, Yazd Province League, Zanjan Province League
(league organized by provincial committees)

Note: 3rd division: 10 teams will qualify, 12 team from 3rd division previous season and 8 teams from 2nd division previous season will be added in the 2nd round.

Women's

Level League/Division(s)
1 Kowsar Women Football League
12 clubs

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Football in Iran before 1970". takhtejamshidcup.com. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  2. ↑ FIFA.com (16 September 2009). "Esteghlal the Iranian Crown". Fifa.com. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  3. 1 2 "Iran 1970". Web.archive.org. 14 May 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 "The AFC.com – The Asian Football Confederation". The-afc.com. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  5. ↑ "Taj (Esteghlal) Local League season 1970–71". takhtejamshidcup.com. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  6. 1 2 "The AFC.com – The Asian Football Confederation". The-afc.com. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  7. ↑ "Persepolis Local League season 1970–71". takhtejamshidcup.com. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  8. ↑ "Iran – List of Champions". Web.archive.org. 4 June 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  9. ↑ "1971–72 Local League". takhtejamshidcup.com. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  10. ↑ "Persepolis Takht Jamshid Cup season 1973–74". takhtejamshidcup.com. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  11. ↑ "Taj (Esteghlal) Takht Jamshid Cup season 1973–74". takhtejamshidcup.com. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  12. ↑ "Taj (Esteghlal) Takht Jamshid Cup season 1974–75". takhtejamshidcup.com. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  13. ↑ "Persepolis Takht Jamshid Cup season 1975–76". takhtejamshidcup.com. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  14. ↑ "Homa Takht Jamshid Cup season 1975–76". takhtejamshidcup.com. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  15. ↑ "PAS Tehran Takht Jamshid Cup season 1976–77". takhtejamshidcup.com. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  16. ↑ "PAS Tehran Takht Jamshid Cup season 1977–78". takhtejamshidcup.com. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  17. ↑ "Persepolis Takht Jamshid Cup season 1976–77". takhtejamshidcup.com. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  18. ↑ "Persepolis Takht Jamshid Cup season 1977–78". takhtejamshidcup.com. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  19. ↑ "Shahbaz Takht Jamshid Cup season 1978–79". takhtejamshidcup.com. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  20. ↑ "Persepolis Takht Jamshid Cup season 1978–79". takhtejamshidcup.com. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  21. ↑ "Taj (Esteghlal) Takht Jamshid Cup season 1978–79". takhtejamshidcup.com. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  22. ↑ "1987–88 17th of Shahrivar league". takhtejamshidcup.com. Retrieved 2017-10-08.
  23. 1 2 "List of Iranian football champions". rsssf.com. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  24. 1 2 "1995–96 Azadegan League season". rsssf.com. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  25. ↑ "1996–97 Azadegan League season". rsssf.com. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  26. ↑ "1998–99 Azadegan League season". rsssf.com. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  27. ↑ "1997–98 Azadegan League season". rsssf.com. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  28. ↑ "1999–2000 Azadegan League season". rsssf.com. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  29. ↑ "2000–01 Azadegan League season". rsssf.com. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  30. ↑ برنامه‌ي كامل دور رفت ششمين دوره‌ي ليگ برتر فوتبال؛ ليگ برتر به "خليج فارس" تغيير نام داد (in Persian). ISNA. Archived from the original on 2012-02-12. Retrieved 2006-08-14.
  31. ↑ برترين طرح ارائه شده براي ليگ برتر انتخاب شد (in Persian). IRIFF Official Website. Archived from the original on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2006-11-24.
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