German Football Association confirms Tehran derby in Bielefeld
Tehran Times – BIELEFELD, Iranian football giants Persepolis and Esteghlal will play at the Bielefeld Schüco Arena on July 22.
The German Football Association (DFB) has confirmed the match will be held in Bielefeld.
The match was originally scheduled for July 16 but has been delayed to July 22.
Iran Professional League champions Persepolis and runners-up Esteghlal could earn from TV revenue from broadcasting the match in Germany.
Iranian legend striker Ali Daei, currently the head coach of Saipa, who was a member of Arminia Bielefeld in 1997 has been invited to attend the match.
His countryman Karim Bagheri, who has also played at Arminia Bielefeld, is assistant coach of Persepolis football team at the moment.
It will be for the first time the two teams will play in a foreign country.
Tehran derby is also known as Red-Blue Derby is a football match between the two prominent Tehran clubs Esteghlal and Persepolis of Iran.
It is widely considered the major crosstown derby in the Persian Gulf Pro League, and also in the world.
This match was declared as the most important derby in Asia and 22nd most important derby in the world in June 2008 by World Soccer magazine.
It is considered as one of the world’s most intense derbies. Despite being a derby between two teams from Tehran, the match has been played in other Iranian cities as well. Taking place at least twice during the year via the league fixtures, this cross-town rivalry has extended to the Hazfi Cup, as well as in minor tournaments and friendlies.