IPL restarted following the Noruz (Iranian New Year) break and the Tehran-based team lost to Saba at the Yadegar Imam Stadium and missed the chance of the championship for the second successive year.
Mohsen Yusefi put Saba into the lead in the 29th minute from the penalty spot. Mehdi Kheiri doubled the score with six minutes remaining to the interval.
It was Nelo Vingada’s second defeat as Persepolis coach. Persepolis had lost to Moghavemat Sepasi of Shiraz in early March.