Tehran Derby: Glitz, Gender Barriers, and Financial Problems at Azadi Stadium

As the sun sets over the Iranian capital today, all eyes will turn to the iconic Azadi Stadium, where thousands of fans have been waiting for hours to enter.

At 8:00 PM Tehran time, the stage is set for the 103rd clash between Iranian football giants Persepolis FC and Esteghlal FC.

Renowned across Asia and beyond, the Tehran Derby holds a special place for football fans. It stands as the 25th largest derby on the global stage.

However, beneath the glitz and glamour lies a stark reality.

Despite their potential to uplift the nation's spirits and serve as economic beacons, both clubs find themselves mired in financial turmoil under the management of the Islamic Republic.

The players are set to take to the field before a crowd of 40,000 male spectators and 5,000 handpicked female attendees.

For more than four decades, Iran's clerical establishment has opposed the idea of women being allowed in stadiums with male fans, and only a restricted number of them have been allowed to attend a few games in recent years.

There has been minimal progress on the issue since calls were made to FIFA in 2022 to ban Iran from the World Cup in Qatar because of the continued exclusion of women from football matches.

The calls came against the backdrop of women-led nationwide protests sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while she was in police custody for allegedly wearing her mandatory headscarf "improperly."

The testimony of a young Iranian woman who sought to attend Tehran's last derby highlights the challenges faced by women who wish to attend men's sports events.

She said she had witnessed several women being denied entry to the stadium despite having valid tickets.

"They were told that the seats were full and to go home," the woman said. "Their tone was harsh. One of the officers even shouted, 'Either you leave or we'll take you away.'"

As the league table stands, Esteghlal leads the charge with 42 points, closely pursued by Persepolis with 39 points.

In the annals of their storied rivalry, victories have been hard-fought and evenly matched.

Persepolis has triumphed 26 times, while Esteghlal boasts 27 victories, with the remaining encounters ending in draws.

The Tehran Derby, once called the "Derby of 100,000," has lost some of its luster due to the lack of a proper stadium and security worries.