The Iran Pro League (IPL) (Persian: لیگ برتر فوتبال ایران), is a professional football league competition for clubs located at the highest level of the Iranian football league system.
The league system resembles the system being used in England currently. The Premier League is the top tier of an extensive pyramid-like structure, above the Azadegan League (or 1st Division), the 2nd division, the 3rd Division and the lower local leagues.
[edit] History
[edit] Iran Pro League
The 2001-2002 season saw the introduction of a professional football league in Iran.[1]
[edit] 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 Gulf Cup.[2] This was done to promote the name of the Persian Gulf, instead of the many variations which some nations and organizations use which Iran disputes. The league logo was also changed, with the winner being selected from over 130 designs and unveiled on November 14, 2006.[3] 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.
[edit] Champions
[edit] List of champions by season
[edit] Most successful clubs
[edit] All-time Premier League standings
Since the 2001-2002 season, 10 seasons of "IPL/Persian Gulf League" has been completed. The below table shows the total ranking for the all football clubs competing in these all 10 seasons.[4]
1 Persepolis was deducted 6 points in 2007–08 season issued by Fifa.
2 Sepahan was deducted 3 points in 2007–08 season issued by Iranian Football Federation.
[edit] Competition format and sponsorship
[edit] Competition
There are currently 18 clubs in the league,[5] although the competition started in 2001–02 with 14 teams.[6] The season lasts from August to May, each club plays the others twice, once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponents for a total of 34 games for each club, with a total of 306 games in each season. Teams receive three points for a win and one point for a draw. Teams are ranked by total points, then goal difference and then goals scored. At the end of each season, the club with the most points is crowned as champion. The two teams at the bottom of the IPL and top of the Azadegan League play in a series of playoffs with return legs, the two teams out of the four that come out of those games victorious will be promoted or remain (if previously there) in the IPL.
[edit] Qualification for Asian competitions
As of 2008 four teams from Iran qualify for the AFC Asian Champions League annually. This includes the top three teams of the IPL together with the winner of the Hazfi Cup. If the winner of the Hazfi Cup is also among the three top IPL teams then the fourth best IPL team also qualifies.
Up until 2011 the league had no private sponsorship and a large majority of the teams participating in the league belonged to public sector industries and companies. Starting from the 2011-12 season, the league is sponsored by MTN Irancell for approximately 2.55 million USD for 1 year. [7]
[edit] Media coverage
Channel 3 broadcasted nationally and IRIB 2 broadcasted internationally both show IPL matches, however due to the immense popularity of Tehran teams Persepolis F.C. and Esteghlal F.C. only these teams' matches are shown on IRIB 2 internationally.
On 20 July 2011, IRIB and the IFF came to agreement regarding TV rights of both IPL and national team matches worth $96.5 million that will run until 2014.[8]
[edit] Players
[edit] Transfer season
- The summer transfer season for teams in the Persian Gulf Cup lasts from June 18 to 12pm on August 8.
- The winter transfer season for teams in the Persian Gulf Cup lasts from December 31 to 12pm on January 20.
[edit] Foreigner cap
Each team is allowed as many foreign players in their squad as they desire, however there is a rule that only permits 3 foreign players the pitch at any one time for each side. In the past there have been breaches of this rule and in the 2006/07 season PAS Tehran F.C. were deducted 1 point for fielding 4 foreigners on one occasion and handed a 3-0 loss.
Also as of the 2008-09 season no IPL clubs will be permitted to buy foreign goalkeepers in a bid to develop the talents of Iranian goalkeepers and allow younger goalkeepers to have more first team opportunities. However the teams which have already got long term contracts with foreign goalkeepers will be exempt from this rule.
[edit] Suspensions
Players receive a one match suspension when they receive 3 yellow cards at any point of the season.
[edit] Ranking
The strongest National League in the World 2011:[9]
The strongest Leagues in the World in the 1st Decade of 21st Century:[10]
[edit] Records
[edit] All-time top scorers
last update: October 1, 2011
Players in bold are still active in the league.
[edit] Winning managers
last update: May 21, 2011
[edit] Multiple winning players
last update: February 1, 2012 [11]
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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Iranian Football League
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| Local League |
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| Takht Jamshid Cup |
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Azadegan League
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| IPL |
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Competitions involving Iranian clubs
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| Defunct |
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| League competitions |
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| Cup competitions |
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| National teams |
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| Lists and categories |
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9 titles : Persepolis (1971–72, 73-74, 75-76, 95-96, 96-97, 98-99, 99-00, 01-02, 07-08)
7 titles : Esteghlal Tehran (1970–71, 74-75, 89-90, 97-98, 00-01, 05-06, 08-09)
5 titles : PAS Tehran (76-77, 77-78, 91-92, 92-93, 03-04)
3 titles : Sepahan (02-03, 09-10, 10-11) Saipa (93-94, 94-95, 06-07)
1 title : Foolad (04-05)
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† Provisional Associated Member
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Iran
2011-12 season
Emad Mohammed
Ibrahima Touré
