Alireza Faghani to referee Tehran derby
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Loading...Tehran Times – TEHRAN, Alireza Faghani has been appointed to referee Friday’s Tehran derby between Persepolis and Esteghlal in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium. The Referees Committee of Iran’s Football Federation announced on Wednesday that Torki will officiate the match.
He will be assisted by Reza Sokhandan and Mohammad Reza Mansouri in the derby.
This is the third time Faghani has been appointed as Tehran derby referee. In the previous two games Persepolis has won once while the other match finished with a goalless draw.
“As a referee all the matches are the same for me. Derby is important for the fans and the media but for us it is just like another normal game. I hope we could have decent performance on Friday,” Faghani who officiated the Olympic final between Brazil and Germany last month said.
Esteghlal and Persepolis have played against each other 82 times, with Esteghlal winning 24 games, Persepolis taking 21 victories, and 37 matches ending in a draw.
Persepolis is currently Iran Professional league table toppers while Esteghlal is struggling this season as they have gained just three points over the last five games standing in the 14th place.
The Tehran derby was chosen as the most important in Asia and the 22nd important derby in the world on June 2008 by World Soccer Magazine.
