Tehran Times - The chair of FIFA's Referees' Committee Pierluigi Collina has likened Tehran derby to El Clasico.
The Italian legendary official has come to Tehran to attend Tehran derby between Persepolis and Esteghlal.
“I’m very happy to be here. It’s the first time I’m here and I thanks Iran football chief (Mehdi Taj) for inviting me to Iran,” Collina said.
“I know Tehran derby it’s very exciting and I think it’s like the match between Real Madrid and Barcelona,” he added.
SPONSORED
“I asked Esfandiar Baharmast about this match and I know that it is very important for both teams,” Collina stated.
“I know some of Iranian referees and they are respectable. I have to say Alireza Faghani performed well in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia,” he concluded.
