Azadegan League

Azadegan League
Founded 1991
Country Iran
Confederation AFC
Number of teams 18
Level on pyramid 2
Promotion to Persian Gulf Pro League
Relegation to League 2
Domestic cup(s) Hazfi Cup
Current champions Pars Jonoubi Jam
(2016–17)
Most championships Persepolis (4 titles)
TV partners IRIB
Website www.lig1.ir
2017–18 Azadegan League

The Azadegan League (Persian: ليگ آزادگان‎‎), also known as League 1 (Persian: لیگ یک‎‎), 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, 18 teams are participated in the Azadegan League. 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.

History

Before 1979

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

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. 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. 16 teams participated in one group until 1999. Persepolis were the champions in 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1998–99, while Esteghlal became the champion in the 1997–98 season. In 1999 the league was reduced to 14 teams. Persepolis won the 1999–2000 Azadegan League season, sitting seven points clear of rival Esteghlal. 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.

Second division

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 Sazi 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 prior to the start of the 2008–09 season. They played in two groups of 14 teams until 2013. East Azerbaijan's famous club Tractor Sazi 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 were 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. Once season later, Foolad Novin could win the league after they beat Siah Jamegan in final. Due 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

Prior to 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.

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, 1999–00
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

Clubs

Team Location Stadium Capacity
Aluminium Arak Arak Imam Khomeini 15,000
Baadraan Tehran Tehran Kargaran 5,000
Bargh Jadid Shiraz Shiraz Hafezieh 15,000
Fajr Sepasi Shiraz Hafezieh 15,000
Gol Gohar Sirjan Gol Gohar Sport Complex 3,000
Iranjavan Bushehr Shahid Beheshti 15,000
Khooneh be Khooneh Babol Haft-e Tir 6,000
Malavan Bandar-e Anzali Takhti Anzali 8,000
Machine Sazi Tabriz Bagh Shomal 20,000
Mes Kerman Kerman Shahid Bahonar 15,430
Mes Rafsanjan Rafsanjan Shohadaye Noushabad 5,000
Naft Masjed Soleyman Masjed Soleyman Behnam Mohammadi 8,000
Nassaji Mazandaran Qaem Shahr Vatani 15,000
Oxin Alborz Karaj Enghelab 15,000
Rah Ahan Tehran Ekbatan 8,000
Saba Qom Qom Yadegar-e Emam Qom 10,610
Shahrdari Mahshahr Bandar-e Mahshahr Shohada Mahshahr -
Shahrdari Tabriz Tabriz Marzdaran 5,000

Champions

Performance in the Azadegan League by club
Club Champions Runners-up Years won Years runner-up
Persepolis 4 3 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–00 1992–93, 1993–94, 2000–01
Esteghlal 2 4 1997–98, 2000–01 1991–92, 1994–95, 1998–99, 1999–00
PAS Tehran 2 1 1991–92, 1992–93 1997–98
Paykan 2 1 2011–12, 2015–16 2005–06
Saipa 2 0 1993–94, 1994–95 —
Pegah 1 1 2006–07 2002–03
Tractor Sazi 1 1 2008–09 2006–07
Padideh1 1 1 2013–14 2010–11
Esteghlal Ahvaz 1 0 2001–02 —
Shamoushak Noshahr 1 0 2002–03 —
Saba Qom2 1 0 2003–04 —
Tarbiat Yazd3 1 0 2004–05 —
Mes Kerman 1 0 2005–06 —
Rahian Kermanshah4 1 0 2006–07 —
Payam Mashhad 1 0 2007–08 —
Steel Azin5 1 0 2008–09 —
Naft Tehran 1 0 2009–10 —
Shahrdari Tabriz 1 0 2009–10 —
Damash 1 0 2010–11 —
Esteghlal Khuzestan 1 0 2012–13 —
Gostaresh Foulad 1 0 2012–13 —
Foolad Novin 1 0 2014–15 —
Pars Jonoubi Jam 1 0 2016–17 —
Bahman 0 2 — 1995–96, 1996–97
Sanat Naft 0 2 — 2001–02, 2009–10
Malavan 0 1 — 2003–04
Rah Ahan 0 1 — 2004–05
Sepahan Novin 0 1 — 2007–08
Shahin Bushehr 0 1 — 2008–09
Aluminium Hormozgan 0 1 — 2011–12
PAS Hamedan 0 1 — 2012–13
Naft Masjed Soleyman 0 1 — 2013–14
Siah Jamegan 0 1 — 2014–15
Machine Sazi 0 1 — 2015–16
Sepidrood 0 1 — 2016–17

Notes:
1 Padideh was formerly known as Mes Sarcheshmeh
2 Saba Qom was formerly known as Saba Battery
3 Tarbiat Yazd was formerly known as Shahid Ghandi
4 Rahian Kermanshah was formerly known as Shirin Faraz
5 Steel Azin was formerly known as Ekbatan

All-time Azadegan League table

Since the 2001–02 season, fifteen seasons of the Azadegan League have been completed. The table below shows the total ranking for the all football clubs competing in all 15 seasons. Teams in bold compete in 2016–17 season.

Pos. Club Seasons Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Best Rank
1 Nassaji Mazandaran 13336116102118353370-1744713rd
2 Mashin Sazi Tabriz 1231391104115323389-663772nd
3 Naft Abadan 92291016959294206+883722nd
4 Aluminium Arak 112848893103300324-243574th
5 Mes Rafsanjan 9235838567254212+423342nd
6 Payam Mashhad 9218827363266236+303172Champions
7 Niroo Zamini 112607882100242282-403163rd
8 Tarbiat Yazd 9220818267251217+34315Champions
9 Gol Gohar 9235768376256242-143115th
10 Damash Gilan 7185834944222150+72303Champions
11 Iranjavan 9232728377245257-122992nd
12 Tractor Sazi Tabriz 7172785638210148+62290Champions
13 Rahian Kermanshah 8197667654191172+19274Champions
14 Sh. Bandar Abbas 10217717076229216+132702nd
15 Aluminium Hormozgan 7188676754200177+232682nd
16 Mes Kerman 7184696055202169+31267Champions
17 Homa 819467646319519502655th
18 Shahrdari Zanjan 8192596271197215-182395th
19 Etka 8185605768196204-82373rd
20 Shahrdari Tabriz 6143614834170120+502312nd
21 Naft Masjed Soleyman 5140515137169150+192052nd
22 Paykan 411055352015790+67200Champions
23 Pas Hamedan 5135523647129124+51923rd
24 Shamoushak 6146475148134136-2192Champions
25 Foolad Yazd 6161455660143164-211915th
26 Shahin Bushehr 6140484052147160-131842nd
27 Padideh 410247371812769+58178Champions
28 Oghab Tehran 5124463939151118+331774th
29 Gahar Doroud 6150434760133169-361763rd
30 Bargh Tehran 5124453841134120+141734th
31 Parseh Tehran 5135416143147149-21723rd
32 Gostaresh 4104443228131111+201642nd
33 Moghavemate Mersad 5114403539127120+71554th
34 Esteghlal Ahvaz 5118393346122137-15150Champions
35 Shahrdari Yasuj 410239273610496+81443rd
36 Rah Ahan 4102362937106110-41372nd
37 Aboumoslem 4102333732115112+31365th
38 Sorkhpooshan 48635292210779+281343rd
39 Fajr Sepasi 3863526258563+221312nd
40 Sanati Kaveh 4100312940106115-81228th
41 Steel Azin 37438191711981+3812132nd
42 Sepahan Novin 37433202110580+251192nd
43 Bargh Shiraz 410429304591129-381173rd
44 Payam Mokhaberat 410427334491110-191148th
45 Saba Battery 2602920118653+33107Champions
46 Giti Pasand 3842431298191-101035th
47 Kowsar 49422304286120-34968th
48 Persepolis Shomal 3762320337496-22868th
49 Siah Jamegan 245231575232+20842nd
50 Esteghlal Khuzestan 2522215155241+1181Champions
51 Deyhim Ahvaz 49018225084157-73769th
52 Petrochimi Tabriz 2522015176663+3753rd
53 Foolad Novin 2482011176255+771Champions
54 Keshto Sannat Shooshtar 3661623276589-24716th
55 Shahrdari Ardabil 2601719246772-5706th
56 Alvand Hamedan 2501714195657-1654th
57 Ekbatan 3661321325292-40669th
58 Mehrkam Pars 2521615215362-9639th
59 Yazd Louleh 2501517185853+5627th
60 Sanat Sari 2521516213858-20617th
61 Naft Gachsaran 2461515165156-5607th
62 Kheybar Khorramabad 2601418286698-356012th
63 Khooneh Be Khooneh 138141683934+5586th
64 Malavan 130151055621+35552nd
65 Fajr Sepah 2501219194456-12555th
66 Naft Tehran 126131033316+1749Champions
67 Shahin Ahvaz 12213543315+18443rd
68 Foolad Khuzestan 17410135151152-1014312th
69 Pasargad Tehran 12211654126+15393rd
70 Tarbiat Khorasan 130710132638-123112th
71 Foolad Natanz 126610103036-62814th
72 Pegah Shush 12251252421+3277th
73 Esteghlal Dezful 1226791921-2276th
74 Hafari Ahvaz 12668124042-22612th
75 Part Sazan 1206561726-9268th
76 Sanam Tehran 1206772324-1255th
77 Esteghlal Kish 12274112532-7258th
78 Badr Hormozgan 12494112130-925411th
79 Nirou Moharekeh 130510152143-222515th
80 Shahrdari Kerman 24267292892-642511th
81 Ararat Tehran 1205781218-6229th
82 Pas Arak 12064102133-12229th
83 Shahrdari Bushehr 12055102025-52010th
84 Nozhan Mazandaran 12248101222-102011th
85 Sepidrood Rasht 12648142139-182014th
86 Chooka Talesh 12044121737-201610th
87 Yadavaran Shalamcheh 12637161235-231614th
88 Irsotter Noshahr 12043131742-251511th
89 Shahrdari Langarud 12226141739-221212th
90 Pars Jam 0000000—0—
91 Oxin Alborz 0000000—0—
92 Baadraan Tehran 0000000—0—

1 Nassaji Mazandaran was docked 3 points in 2012–13 season issued by Iranian Football Federation.
2 Payam Mashhad was docked 3 points in 2010–11 season issued by Iranian Football Federation.
3 Steel Azin was docked 12 points in 2011–12 season issued by FIFA.
4 Badr Hormozgan was docked 6 points in 2013–14 season issued by Iranian Football Federation.

Attendances

Average league attendances

Season Average Highest attended club Club average Lowest attended club Club average
2008–09 3,075 Tractor Sazi 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

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 Sazi 2–0Aluminium Hormozgan 20,000 8 June 2009 26 Sahand
2009–10 Nassaji 4–1Damash 15,000 13 November 2009 6 Vatani
2010–11 Gostaresh 1–0Aboumoslem 30,000 9 May 2011 26 Sahand
2011–12 Nassaji 0–0Naft MIS 15,000 5 April 2012 24 Vatani
2015–16 Machine Sazi 3–0Mes Rafsanjan 15,500 10 May 2016 37 Sahand
2016–17 Sepidrood 3–2Nassaji 20,000 1 May 2017 34 Dr. Azodi

Statistics

Top scorers

SeasonPlayerClubGoals
2005–06 Iran Hossein AbdiSanaye Arak14
2006–07 Iran Farhad KheirkhahSorkhpooshan11
2007–08 Iran Mohammad ParvinSteel Azin15
2008–09 Iran Abbas PorkhosravaniGol Gohar17
2009–10 Iran Ali KarimiSh. Tabriz17
2010–11 Iran Afshin ChavoshiDamash13
Iran Mostafa ShojaeiFoolad Natanz13
Iran Moslem FiroozabadiGol Gohar13
2011–12 Iran Bahman TahmasebiAluminum13
2012–13 Iran Mohammad AbbaszadehNassaji17
2013–14 Iran Mokhtar JomehzadehGol Gohar15
2014–15 Iran Issa AlekasirAluminum11
2015–16 Iran Hamid KazemiNassaji16
2016–17 Iran Mohammad AbbaszadehNassaji24

See also

References

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