TEHRANTIMES - Alireza Faghani has been appointed to take charge of Friday’s Tehran derby between Esteghlal and Persepolis at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran.

The referee committee of Iran’s football federation announced on Wednesday that Faghani will officiate the match.

He will be assisted by Reza Sokhandan and Rasoul Foroughi in the derby, with Yadollah Jahanbazi acting as fourth official.

The Tehran derby was chosen as the most important in Asia and the 22nd important derby in the world on June 2008 by the World Soccer Magazine

Esteghlal is third in the Iran Professional League table with 14 points after seven weeks, followed by Persepolis with 13 points.

Esteghlal and Persepolis have played against each other 76 times, with Esteghlal winning 24 games, Persepolis taking 18 victories, and 34 matches ending in a draw.