AFC - The new Iran Pro League season will kick
off on September 9 with 16 teams in the hunt for glory.
The fixtures list will be released in August and clubs have until September
1 to firm up their teams as the transfer window closes eight days before the
league starts.
Esteghlal are the defending champions while Pas and Saipa finished second
and third respectively last season.
Mess-e-Kerman and Peykan are the two newly promoted teams in the topflight
taking up the berths of Shamooshak and Ghandi, both of whom have been
relegated.
Meanwhile, the 2006 Hazfi Cup final?s first leg match will be held between
Persepolis and Sepahan on September 13. The date of the second leg has not
yet been decided.
The Hazfi Cup winners will be Iran?s second team in the AFC Champions League
after Esteghlal. Â
