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Azadegan League

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1st Division
دسته اول
Dasthe Aval
crest
Founded1991 (as first tier)
2001 (as second tier)
CountryIran
ConfederationAFC
Number of teams18
Level on pyramid2
Promotion toPersian Gulf Pro League
Relegation toLeague 2
Domestic cup(s)Hazfi Cup
International cup(s)AFC Champions league (through the hazfi cup)
Current championsShams Azar (1st title)
(2022–23)
Most championshipsPersepolis (4 titles)
TV partnersIRIB
Websiteleague1football.ir
Current: 2023–24 Azadegan League

The Azadegan League (Persian: ليگ آزادگان, Lig-e Âzâdegân), also known as League 1 (Persian: لیگ یک, Lig-e Yek), is the second highest division of professional football in Iran. It was the top-level football league in Iran from its foundation in 1991 until 2001, when the Persian Gulf Pro League was established. Each year, the top finishing teams in the Azadegan League are promoted to the Persian Gulf Pro League, and the lowest finishing teams are relegated to League 2.

Since 2016, the league comprises 18 teams. The winner and the runner-up of the Azadegan League are automatically promoted to the Persian Gulf Pro League. The bottom three teams in the league are relegated to League 2. In the past, the format and number of teams were changed for various times. Persepolis is the most successful club with four titles.

History

Before 1970

Before the 1970s, Iran did not have an official national football league. Most clubs participated in championships of their city or province. In 1970, the Local League was created. The league included teams from all Iran in different qualifying tournaments. In 1972, the Takht Jamshid Cup was founded as the national league and included teams from all over the country.

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. Consequently, the people paid very little attention football at that time. In 1989 the Qods League was created as the national football league. Esteghlal were the first national champion since PAS Tehran in 1978. After the season the Qods League was not continued.

Establishment as First tier (1991–2001)

Azadegan League champions (First tier)
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
1999–2000 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.[1] 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.[2] 16 teams participated in one group until 1999. Persepolis were the champions in 1995–96,[3] 1996–97[4] and 1998–99,[5] while Esteghlal became the champion in the 1997–98 season.[6] In 1999 the league was reduced to 14 teams. Persepolis won the 1999–2000 Azadegan League season, sitting seven points clear of rival Esteghlal.[7] 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.[8]

Continuance as Second tier (2001–)

Azadegan League champions (Second tier)
Season Champions Runners-up
2001–02 Esteghlal Ahvaz Sanat Naft
2002–03 Shamoushak Pegah
2003–04 Saba Battery Malavan
2004–05 Shahid Ghandi Rah Ahan
2005–06 Mes Kerman Paykan
2006–07 Shirin Faraz Pegah
2007–08 Payam Sepahan Novin
2008–09 Steel Azin Shahin
Tractor
2009–10 Shahrdari Tabriz Sanat Naft
Naft Tehran
2010–11 Damash Mes Sarcheshmeh
2011–12 Paykan Aluminium Hormozgan
2012–13 Gostaresh Foolad PAS Hamedan
Esteghlal Khuzestan
2013–14 Padideh Naft MIS
2014–15 Foolad Novin Siah Jamegan
2015–16 Paykan Machine Sazi
2016–17 Pars Jonoubi Sepidrood
2017–18 Naft MIS Nassaji
2018–19 Gol Gohar Shahin
2019–20 Mes Rafsanjan Aluminium Arak
2020–21 Fajr Sepasi Havadar
2021–22 Malavan Mes Kerman
2022–23 Shams Azar Esteghlal Khuzestan

After the Iran Pro League was established as the professional football league of Iran, Azadegan League was declared as the second-highest professional league in the Iranian football league system. Esteghlal Ahvaz won the 2001–02 Azadegan League season and promoted to Iran Pro League. Also Sanat Naft Abadan promoted to the Iran Pro League. 22 clubs participated in two groups of 11 teams including a final stage for the best four teams. The format was changed into a classic league of 16 teams for the next two seasons. Shamoushak Noshahr became the champion in 2002–03, while Saba Battery won the league title in the 2003–04 season.

Once more the league changed their format in 2004. Between the 2004–05 and 2007–08 Azadegan League season, 24 clubs played in two groups of 12 teams. After Shahid Ghandi winning the league in 2004–05, Mes Kerman became the champion in the 2005–06 season. Sanat Naft Abadan, the third-ranked team in 2004–05, criticized the Iranian Football Federation due to incidents in the final stage. In the 2006–07 Azadegan League season, Pegah and Shirin Faraz became the champions of the league, while Tractor failed once again for promotion. Also, Sanat Naft Abadan promoted automatically to the Persian Gulf Cup because of the 2004–05 Azadegan League promotion controversy.

After Payam Mashhad winning the title in the 2007–08 Azadegan League season, the number of teams was increased to 28 before the start of the 2008–09 season. They played in two groups of 14 teams until 2013. East Azerbaijan's famous club Tractor returned finally back to the Persian Gulf Cup by winning the 2008–09 season alongside Steel Azin. Shahrdari Tabriz and Naft Tehran were the champions in the 2009–10 season, before Damash winning the league in 2010–11. Paykan won the league title 2011–12, while Gostaresh and Esteghlal Khuzestan winning the league one year later. Although Shahrdari Tabriz could win their group, they had to relegate due to match-fixing.

The number of teams was reduced in the next two seasons. 26 clubs participated in 2013–14, while 24 teams played in the 2014–15 season. Padideh won the title in 2013–14 after a victory over Naft Masjed Soleyman in the league final. One season later, Foolad Novin could win the league after they beat Siah Jamegan in final. Due to the fact that Foolad Novin is the reserve team of Foolad Khuzestan, they could not promote to the Persian Gulf Pro League. Instead of Foolad Novin, Esteghlal Ahvaz was allowed to promote.

Since 2015

Pars Jonoubi Jam champions 2016–17

Before the start of the 2015–16 Azadegan League season, they returned to a classic league format. 20 clubs participated in 2015–16, before the number of teams were reduced to 18 one season later. Paykan won the 2015–16 season, sitting seven points clear of Machine Sazi. In 2017, Pars Jonoubi Jam promoted sensationally to the Persian Gulf Pro League after winning the 2016–17 Azadegan League. Also Sepidrood returned to the highest Iranian league after 25 years.

Like in the 2016–17 season, Nassaj was also involved in a dramatic season finish in the 2017–18 Azadegan League. At the last matchday, five teams had the chance to promoted. Naft Masjed Soleyman drew 2–2 with Mes Rafsanjan and won the league, while Nassaji defeated Rah Ahan 6–0 in Tehran's Takhti Stadium and became runners-up with 64 points thanks to a better goal difference than Khooneh be Khooneh.[9]

Format

In the past, the format and number of teams were changed for various times. Since 2016, the league comprises 18 teams. Over the course of a season, which runs annually from July to the following May, each team plays twice against the others in the league, once at home and once away, resulting in each team competing in 34 games in total. Three points are awarded for a win, one for a draw and zero for a loss. The teams are ranked in the league table by points gained, then goal difference, then goals scored and then their head-to-head record for that season.

At the end of the season, the top two teams are promoted to the Persian Gulf Pro League and the bottom three teams are relegated to League 2. Furthermore, all teams in the Azadegan League can participate in the Hazfi Cup.

Number of teams Period
12 1991–92, 2000–01
16 (two groups) 1992–93
14 1993–94, 1999–2000
24 (two groups) 1994–95, 2004–05 until 2007–08, 2014–15
16 1995–96 until 1998–99, 2002–03 until 2003–04
22 (two groups) 2001–02
28 (two groups) 2008–09 until 2012–13
26 (two groups) 2013–14
20 2015–16
18 since 2016–17
Logo from 2014

Clubs

Main article: 2019–20 Azadegan League
Team Location Stadium Capacity
Aluminium Arak Arak Imam Khomeini 15,000
Arman Gohar Sirjan Sirjan TBA TBA
Baadraan Tehran Tehran Kargaran 5,000
Damash Rasht Shahid Dr. Azodi 11,000
Elmoadab Tabriz Tabriz Marzdaran Stadium 5,000
Esteghlal Khuzestan Ahvaz Ghadir 38,900
Fajr Sepasi Shiraz Hafezieh 15,000
Gol Reyhan Alborz Karaj Enghelab 15,000
Khooshe Talaei Saveh Saveh Shahid Chamran 3,000
Malavan Bandar-e Anzali Takhti Anzali 8,000
Mes Kerman Kerman Shahid Bahonar 15,430
Mes Rafsanjan Rafsanjan Shohadaye Noushabad 5,000
Navad Urmia Urmia Shahid Bakeri 15,000
Nirooye Zamini Tehran TBA TBA
Qashqai Shiraz Hafezieh 15,000
Rayka Babol Babol Haft-e Tir 6,000
Sepidrood Rasht Sardar Jangal 15,000
Sorkhpooshan Pakdasht Pakdasht Shahid Dastgerdi 8,250

Champions

See also: List of Iranian football champions
Performance in the Azadegan League by club
Team Champions Runners-up
Persepolis 4 (1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000) 3 (1992–93, 1993–94, 2000–01)
Esteghlal 2 (1997–98, 2000–01) 4 (1991–92, 1994–95, 1998–99, 1999–2000)
PAS Tehran 2 (1991–92, 1992–93) 1 (1997–98)
Paykan 2 (2011–12, 2015–16) 1 (2005–06)
Saipa 2 (1993–94, 1994–95) —
Damash 1 (2010–11) 2 (2002–03), (2006–07)
Naft Masjed Soleyman 1 (2017–18) 1 (2013–14)
Mes Kerman 1 (2005–06) 1 (2021–22)
Malavan 1 (2021–22) 1 (2003–04)
Esteghlal Khuzestan 1 (2012–13) 1 (2022–23)
Esteghlal Ahvaz 1 (2001–02) —
Shamoushak Noshahr 1 (2002–03) —
Saba Qom1 1 (2003–04) —
Shahid Ghandi Yazd2 1 (2004–05) —
Rahian Kermanshah3 1 (2006–07) —
Payam Mashhad 1 (2007–08) —
Steel Azin4 1 (2008–09) —
Tractor5 1 (2008–09) —
Naft Tehran 1 (2009–10) —
Shahrdari Tabriz 1 (2009–10) —
Gostaresh Foulad 1 (2012–13) —
Padideh6 1 (2013–14) —
Foolad Novin 1 (2014–15) —
Pars Jonoubi Jam 1 (2016–17) —
Gol Gohar 1 (2018–19) —
Mes Rafsanjan 1 (2019–20) —
Fajr Sepasi 1 (2020–21) —
Shams Azar Qazvin 1 (2022–23) —
Bahman — 2 (1995–96, 1996–97)
Sanat Naft — 2 (2001–02, 2009–10)
Shahin Bushehr — 2 (2008–09, 2018–19)
Rah Ahan — 1 (2004–05)
Sepahan Novin — 1 (2007–08)
Aluminium Hormozgan — 1 (2011–12)
Mes Sarcheshmeh — 1 (2010–11)
PAS Hamedan — 1 (2012–13)
Siah Jamegan — 1 (2014–15)
Machine Sazi — 1 (2015–16)
Sepidrood — 1 (2016–17)
Nassaji Mazandaran — 1 (2017–18)
Aluminium Arak — 1 (2019–20)
Havadar — 1 (2020–21)

Notes:
1 Saba Qom was formerly known as Saba Battery
2 Shahid Ghandi Yazd was known as Tarbiat Yazd between 2006 and 2015
3 Rahian Kermanshah was formerly known as Shirin Faraz
4 Steel Azin was formerly known as Ekbatan
5 Tractor was formerly known as Tractor Sazi
6 Padideh was known as Shahr Khodrou between 2019 and 2021

All-time table

Main article: All-time Azadegan League table
Pos. Club Seasons Matches Win Draw Loss GF GA GD Pts Champions Runners-up Promoted Relegated Best Rank
1 Nassaji Mazandaran1 19 494 172 152 170 526 540 −14 665 — 1 1 2 2nd
2 Mes Kerman 13 384 159 126 99 426 305 +121 603 1 1 2 — 1st
3 Sanat Naft 17 417 154 139 124 478 427 +51 601 — 2 4 2 2nd
4 Aluminium Arak2 16 436 143 148 145 455 465 −10 577 — 1 1 2 2nd
5 Malavan3 14 404 143 144 117 401 347 +54 567 1 1 2 2 1st
6 Fajr Sepasi 13 390 145 131 114 427 329 +98 566 1 — 2 — 1st
7 Tractor Sazi 16 392 143 131 118 448 414 +34 560 1 1 1 1 1st
8 Machine Sazi 17 463 129 146 188 470 616 −146 533 — 1 2 4 2nd
9 Mes Rafsanjan 13 367 133 129 105 430 344 +86 528 1 — 1 — 1st
10 Gol Gohar 12 333 120 121 92 399 337 +62 481 1 — 1 — 1st
11 Persepolis 9 222 122 71 29 368 167 +201 437 4 3 — — 1st
12 Payam Mashhad4 12 305 102 106 97 353 350 +3 409 1 — 1 3 1st
13 Esteghlal 9 224 108 77 39 328 194 +134 401 2 4 — 1 1st
14 PAS Tehran 10 250 94 106 50 304 227 +77 388 2 1 — — 1st
15 Damash Gilan5 10 263 105 73 85 290 252 +38 388 1 1 3 2 1st
16 Esteghlal Ahvaz 13 330 90 109 131 352 429 −77 379 1 — 2 3 1st
17 Iranjavan 11 300 89 103 108 317 347 −30 370 — — — 2 2nd
18 Niroye Zamini 12 300 89 92 119 283 333 −50 359 — — — 4 3rd
19 Saipa 9 250 83 106 61 287 244 +43 355 2 — — 1 1st
20 Sepahan 9 236 87 79 70 250 230 +20 340 — — — 1 3rd
21 Rayka Babol6 7 238 80 87 71 243 221 +22 327 — — — — 5th
28 Esteghlal Khuzestan 6 186 72 62 52 202 141 +61 278 1 1 2 — 1st
35 Kheybar Khorramabad 5 172 59 64 49 189 158 +31 241 — — — 1 4th
41 Pars Jonoubi Jam 4 134 53 46 35 130 115 +15 205 1 — 1 — 1st
43 Khooshe Talaei 4 134 49 46 39 151 125 +26 193 — — — — 4th
47 Arman Gohar Sirjan 4 134 49 39 46 157 157 0 186 — — — — 3rd
63 Chooka Talesh 5 142 30 43 69 130 229 −99 133 — — — 3 6th
65 Esteghlal Mollasani 3 100 26 47 27 97 112 -15 125 — — — — 8th
69 Shams Azar Qazvin 2 66 32 18 16 104 59 +45 114 1 — 1 — 1st
71 Shahrdari Astara 3 100 27 32 41 75 99 −24 113 — — — — 11th
77 Mes Shahr-e Babak 2 66 20 31 15 54 43 +11 91 — — — — 7th
83 Shahrdari Hamedan 2 66 15 26 25 43 54 -11 71 — — — 1 10th
95 Van Pars Naghsh-e-Jahan 1 32 12 9 11 32 29 +3 45 — — — — 7th
96 Chadormalou Ardakan 1 32 11 12 9 32 31 +1 45 — — — — 8th
100 Darya Babol 1 32 8 14 10 26 25 +1 38 — — — — 10th
109 Khalij Fars Mahshahr 1 32 7 8 17 21 42 -21 29 — — — — 15th
127 Omid Vahdat Khorasan 1 — — — — — — — — — — — 1 18th
2022–23 Persian Gulf Pro League
2022–23 Azadegan League
Dissolved

Notes:
Only league matches, Play-offs are not included in the all-time table
1 Nassaji Mazandaran was deducted three points in the 2012–13 season
2 Aluminium Arak was formerly known as PAS Arak, Shensa Arak, Hamyari Arak and Shahrdari Arak
3 Malavan was deducted six points in the 2018–19 season
4 Payam Mashhad was deducted three points in the 2010–11 season
5 Damash Gilan was formerly known as Esteghlal Rasht and Pegah Gilan
6 Rayka Babol was formerly known as Khooneh be Khooneh

Attendances

Average league attendances

Season Average Highest attended club Club average Lowest attended club Club average
2008–09 3,075 Tractor 9,385 Niroye Zamini 319
2009–10 2,667 Nassaji Mazandaran 11,833 Foolad Novin 192
2010–11 2,733 Nassaji Mazandaran 12,769 Sanati Kaveh 188
2011–12 2,350 Naft Masjed Soleyman 9,091 Sanati Kaveh 200
2015–16 2,539 Nassaji Mazandaran 8,931 Parseh Tehran 120
2016–17 2,650 Nassaji Mazandaran 10,333 Rah Ahan 188
2017–18 2,287 Nassaji Mazandaran 12,941 Machine Sazi 247

Notes:
Matches with spectator bans are not included in average attendances

Highest attended season matches

Season Home team Score Away team Attendance Date Week Stadium
2008–09 Tractor 2–0 Aluminium Hormozgan 20,000 8 June 2009 (2009-06-08) 26 Sahand
2009–10 Nassaji 4–1 Damash 15,000 13 November 2009 (2009-11-13) 6 Vatani
2010–11 Gostaresh 1–0 Aboumoslem 30,000 9 May 2011 (2011-05-09) 26 Sahand
2011–12 Nassaji 0–0 Naft MIS 15,000 5 April 2012 (2012-04-05) 24 Vatani
2015–16 Machine Sazi 3–0 Mes Rafsanjan 15,500 10 May 2016 (2016-05-10) 37 Sahand
2016–17 Sepidrood 3–2 Nassaji 20,000 1 May 2017 (2017-05-01) 34 Dr. Azodi
2017–18 Rah Ahan 0–6 Nassaji 23,000 29 April 2018 (2018-04-29) 34 Takhti Tehran

Statistics

Top scorers

Season Player Club Goals
2005–06 Iran Hossein Abdi Sanaye Arak 14
2006–07 Iran Farhad Kheirkhah Sorkhpooshan 11
2007–08 Iran Mohammad Parvin Steel Azin 15
2008–09 Iran Abbas Porkhosravani Gol Gohar 17
2009–10 Iran Ali Karimi Shahrdari Tabriz 17
2010–11 Iran Afshin Chavoshi Damash 13
Iran Mostafa Shojaei Foolad Natanz 13
Iran Moslem Firoozabadi Gol Gohar 13
2011–12 Iran Bahman Tahmasebi Aluminum 13
2012–13 Iran Mohammad Abbaszadeh Nassaji 17
2013–14 Iran Mokhtar Jomehzadeh Gol Gohar 15
2014–15 Iran Issa Alekasir Aluminum 11
2015–16 Iran Hamid Kazemi Nassaji 16
2016–17 Iran Mohammad Abbaszadeh Nassaji 24
2017–18 Iran Farshid Padash Shahrdari Mahshahr 17
Iran Shahin Majidi Fajr Sepasi 17
2018–19 Iran Peyman Ranjbari Gol Gohar 16
Iran Shahriyar Moghanlou Paykan 16
2019–20 Iran Hamid Kazemi Baadraan 17
2020–21 Iran Aref Rostami Kheybar Khorramabad 17

See also

References

  1. ^ "List of Iranian football champions". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2011-06-04. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  2. ^ "1995–96 Azadegan League season". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-09-23. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  3. ^ "1995–96 Azadegan League season". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-09-23. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  4. ^ "1996–97 Azadegan League season". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2023-02-04. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  5. ^ "1998–99 Azadegan League season". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-08-12. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  6. ^ "1997–98 Azadegan League season". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2023-02-03. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  7. ^ "1999–2000 Azadegan League season". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-07-22. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  8. ^ "2000–01 Azadegan League season". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-08-12. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  9. ^ "Naft Masjed Soleyman, Nassaji Mazandaran win promotion to IPL". 29 April 2018. Archived from the original on 30 April 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
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